Recovered; Mar 19, 2007

Police in Indiana have announced a missing college freshman from Purdue University died on campus in a high-voltage utility room. Family, friends and fellow students have been searching for 19-year-old Wade Steffey since he disappeared over the long Martin Luther King Jr. weekend.

University police have closed their case on Wade, but officials at Purdue University have started their own investigation. University officials want to know how Wade was able to enter the utility room; which is supposed to be locked at all times. The room where Wade's body was found houses three transformers and is about the size of a one-car garage. The room is a part of Owen Hall, a residence hall for students. Police believe that Wade was trying to gain entrance to the residence hall to retrieve his coat, but accidentally entered the transformer room instead. While inside the dark room, police believe Wade accidentally tripped over a wire and landed on the transformer. The deputy coroner of Tippecanoe County said that he believes Wade died instantly. Forensic tests on the utility room door have not been released but university officials are determined to uncover how Wade was able to enter a room that was supposed to be locked.