By LAUREN SEARS
News Editor
and
VANESSA LANGDON
Staff Writer
—
Missing student Connor Trapatsos’ mother planned on visiting the Saint Rose campus Friday to hand out red ribbons, hoping for her son’s safe return home but instead learned that he had died.
The Saint Rose freshman, who had been missing for 36 days, was found under a bridge 17 miles away from campus in Coeymans on Wednesday evening. Trapatsos, 17, of Fairpoint, was last seen near the location where his body was found on Oct. 15 around 2:30 p.m.
President Stefanco addressed the identification of Trapatsos’ body late Thursday afternoon in an email to Saint Rose faculty, staff, administration, students and parents.“I am so sorry to inform you that the body discovered in Coeymans, New York, on Wednesday, November 19, has been identified as our missing student, Connor Trapatsos,” said Stefanco.
A service to honor Trapatsos’ life was held Thursday in the Hubbard Interfaith Sanctuary. The service was only open to the campus community and allowed students, staff and administrators, who joined together for scripture readings, candle lighting, singing and mourning.
Authorities confirmed the cause of death Thursday afternoon. “The official cause of Trapatsos’ death was blunt force trauma to legs, pelvis, and left arm,” said Chief McKenna of the Coeymans Police Department. According to authorities, Trapatsos died the same day that he was last seen. Trapatsos’ body had been in Coeymans for approximately 5 weeks, according to McKenna. His body was discovered by CSX employees working in the area on Wednesday afternoon.
Trapatsos studied mathematics at the College. Trapatsos’ family told police it was normal for Connor to spend time alone and that it was not out of character for him to be withdrawn but that he had no history of mental illness.
Trapatsos lived in Brubacher Hall on campus. His roommate,Tiernan Foley, first noticed that the teen did not return to their room Wednesday Oct. 15. However Foley did not alert the College until Friday Oct. 17. At that point the entire campus and the surrounding areas were searched.
Authorities have been looking for Trapatsos since he left his dorm room at 10 a.m. that Wednesday. The investigation was led by State University at Albany Police.
A New York State Missing College Student Notification was released throughout the state notifying police and hospitals about Trapatsos. Email and roadside messaging were also used to notify the public in tandem with printed notices to businesses and residents near the Saint Rose campus.
The investigators were in contact with the Trapatsos family throughout the investigation.
Campus events have been postponed in response to Trapatsos death. “As we take time as a community to mourn Connor’s passing, and out of respect for his family and friends, we have decided to postpone the ribbon cutting ceremony for the College’s new Center for International Students scheduled for tomorrow, Friday, November 21, at 4:00 p.m. It will be rescheduled for some time this Spring. We are also cancelling Saint Rose Night, scheduled for tomorrow evening. In the spirit of the College’s commitment to community service, the Century House has agreed to donate all perishable food items prepared for the evening to the Regional Food Bank and other organizations in need of food,” said Stefanco in an email.
Counselors will be available as needed or by individual appointment including evening hours by calling the College’s Counseling Center at 518-454-5200 for students, faculty, staff and administrators at this difficult time.
“I do think it is appropriate to spend time discussing the situation and gauging student reaction,” said Jay Hamer, director of counseling services at Saint Rose.
