UPDATE: Body of missing ISU student found in Wabash River at Vincennes

By Arthur E. Foulkes
The Tribune-Star

TERRE HAUTE May 09, 2009 07:21 am

— After more than a week of determined searching and worry, the body of Gerald Smith, an Indiana State University business student who was to graduate today, has been found in the Wabash River.
The Knox County coroner contacted ISU Police around 7:30 p.m. Friday saying a body had been discovered in the river near Vincennes, said Bill Mercier, director of ISU Public Safety.
The coroner “advised me they had a body in the water,” Mercier said. The body matched the physical and clothing description of Smith, he said. About 90 minutes later, identification was found on the body indicating it was Smith, Mercier said.
Smith, 22, an insurance and risk management major from Avon, went missing after leaving the Ballyhoo Tavern near the ISU campus early on the morning of May 1. Several searches of the campus, the Wabash River near Terre Haute and areas near the ISU campus had turned up nothing.
“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 ISU president Dan Bradley in a statement issued late Friday.
Smith’s family was notified about 9 p.m. Friday by police officers in Avon, Mercier said. Avon Police were used because Mercier wanted the family to be notified in person and not over the telephone, he said.
Smith’s mother, Robin, had been expected to accept her son’s diploma at today’s commencement ceremony at Hulman Center in Terre Haute. It was not known how this news might change those plans, Mercier said; however, Smith will be recognized at ISU’s commencement, according to the ISU media statement.
Mercier said there is no way of knowing yet what happened to Smith, who was considered an outstanding student, a leader and had many friends. An autopsy is scheduled for 8 a.m. today at Terre Haute Regional Hospital to be performed by Vigo County Coroner Dr. Roland Kohr, Mercier said.
It was not clear at press time who discovered Smith’s body. Public safety officers from ISU were sent to Knox County to gather more information Friday evening, Mercier said.
ISU police said Wednesday that a witness reported seeing someone matching Smith’s description talking to a man and a woman in a gold Toyota Camry or similar vehicle around 1:30 a.m. May 1 near Second and Canal streets between the ISU campus and the Wabash River.
Smith left the Ballyhoo Tavern around 12:40 p.m. after an evening of celebrating the completion of a project other insurance and risk management students. Security officers at the tavern asked Smith to leave when it appeared he’d had too much to drink, according to sources at the bar that evening. An ISU business professor offered to pay for a cab for Smith, but the student refused and indicated he would walk back to his dorm a few blocks to the west on the ISU campus.
Vincennes is about 57 miles south of Terre Haute.

Arthur Foulkes can be reached at (812) 231-4232 or arthur.foulkes@tribstar.com.