U.S. student studying abroad found dead in Rome rail tunnel

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Source: CNN

(CNN) -- A U.S. student who went missing while studying abroad in Italy was found dead inside a railroad tunnel in central Rome, police there said Saturday.

Investigators are looking into the death of John Durkin, an economics major from Rye Beach, New Hampshire. The 21-year-old attended Bates College, but was one of six students from the Maine school taking part in a study abroad program in Rome through Trinity College in Connecticut, his school said. Both colleges are working with Italian authorities.

"It is with much sadness that the Durkin family informs you of the loss of John Nolen Durkin and thanks everyone for their support during the past few days," his family said in a statement released through Bates.

He's been in Rome for a little more than a month as part of a semester-long program, according to Tom Durkin, a family spokesman.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/22/world/europe/italy-american-student-missing/

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Lewiston-Auburn Sun Journal: Bates College mourns death of junior John Durkin

Bangor Daily News: Missing Bates College student found dead in Italy railroad tunnel

Portland Press Herald: Missing Bates student found dead in Italy

Boston Globe: Bates College student found dead in Italy

Bates Athletics profile of Durkin

[blackspade]

1. Condolences to his family

As a snarky aside, so how soon will his roommate be arrested and charged with a satanic sex ritual gone wrong?

[secondwind]

2. amazing.

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3. Too snarky?

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4. Maybe it has to be said, the way Italy railroaded Amanda Knox. nt

[crim son]

5. I thought the same thing when I read the story today,

mainly because I am 2/3 of the way through one of the many written accounts of the Kercher murder investigation fiasco. We are in shock here in Bangor, Maine, as on of the young man's classmates on this semester abroad went to the local high school with my oldest son.

[MADem]

6. This has been all over the news in New England.

When they reported his cards hadn't been used, nor his phone, it was a foregone conclusion that he was gone. I thought they might find him in the river. Turns out he was hit by a train:

Statements by the family and college did not divulge the circumstances of Durkin’s death, but Italian Railway Police posted a statement online saying a 21-year-old US citizen, who had been reported missing by a college official, had been struck and killed by a train. Officers discovered the body in a tunnel between St. Peter’s and Trastevere stations and are investigating the death, the statement said, adding that family members had identified the body. The statement did not name the victim.