It is a sad day for Lee University and the entire Cleveland community.
The body of Jonathan Messer, a 21-year-old psychology student, was found in his parked car Monday morning.
Police say he was visiting friends at the Carroll Court Apartments on Cherry Street Sunday night.
They discovered his body, still in the parked car, Monday morning.
Messer had plans of becoming a marriage and family therapist.
Vice President of Student Relations, Dr. Jerome Hammond, says he was a caring individual with big plans.
At this time, authorities don't know what caused his death, but it's shocked the community.
Let me be sure to make a couple of points. One is the police do not suspect foul play and right now there is no evidence to suggest this was a suicide. Clearly, there's a lot of information yet to come, but right now, we don't suspect either of those situations, said Dr. Hammond.
The university issued a statement to students and staff. Part of it read:
We are working with the appropriate authorities and reaching out to his family and friends to assist them through this untimely loss. Please keep his family and friends in prayer for God's strength and peace.
In the meantime, the school is planning a memorial. It will be held at the first chapel of the school year in two weeks.
We'll%
