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Missing Auburn international student found dead

The Auburn Police Division said the deceased body found earlier this week in a shed was the body of Chih-Kai Lai, a 22-year-old student from Taiwan who was enrolled at Auburn University and reported missing in August.

The body was found in the 500 Block of Southview Drive in a shed, where police said Lai had been staying.

Police said that although Lai was last seen on Aug. 18, he had only been deceased for a number of days.

Lai was positively identified through fingerprint comparisons, according to Lee County Coroner Bill Harris.

Foul play is not suspected, but the investigation is ongoing, according to Harris.

Further investigation into the circumstances surrounding the discovery, as well as determining the identity of the individual, was conducted by the Auburn Police Division, the State of Alabama Medical Examiner’s Office and the Lee County Coroner’s Office. 

Police said that although Lai was last seen on August 18th, he had only been deceased for a number of days.

Auburn University sent the following statement to The Plainsman:

"We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Chih-Kai Lai. He will always be a member of the Auburn Family, and we mourn his loss."


Eduardo Medina | Editor-in-chief



Eduardo Medina, senior in journalism, is the editor-in-chief of The Auburn Plainsman.


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