Indiana State University Newsroom

Updated: May 9, 2009

A body found in the Wabash River Friday evening (May 8) has been identified as that of a missing Indiana State University student.

The body of Gerald Smith of Avon was found near Vincennes at approximately 7:30 p.m. An autopsy conducted Saturday morning at Terre Haute Regional Hospital by Medical Examiner Dr. Roland Kohr determined death was due to accidental drowning.

The 22-year-old insurance and risk management major had been missing since May 1. An Avon High School graduate and the son of Robin and Billy Hill, Gerald had been scheduled to graduate on Saturday.

"On behalf of Indiana State University, Cheri and I offer our deepest sympathies to Robin, Billy and all of Gerald's family and friends," said university President Daniel J. Bradley. "We are proud of the way the university came together during the past week to search for Gerald."

Gerald will be recognized during Indiana State's spring commencement Saturday at Hulman Center.

Contact: Tara Singer, assistant vice president for communications and marketing and university spokesperson, Indiana State University, 812-237-8764 or tara.singer@indstate.edu 

Writer: Dave Taylor, media relations director, Office of Communications and Marketing, Indiana State University, 812-237-3743 or dave.taylor@indstate.edu