Missing IC Student Found Dead In Campus Pond; Community Mourns

The mood on Ithaca College’s campus was somber yesterday, as students reacted to the shocking news that freshman Willie Jacobson had been found drowned at the bottom of the Farm Road Pond after he had gone missing for two days.

Media outlets from Fox News to the Associated Press and the Minneapolis Star Tribune brought national attention to our little campus, as they covered the tragedy.

Needless to say, it wasn’t the kind of attention we wanted.

Police say they don’t suspect foul play in Willie’s death, but the recently divulged case of the “Smiley Killer gang” was on everyone’s minds as they drove past the police tape on campus. Something about his death just didn’t seem right, friends and other students said.

I never knew you, Willie, but the effect your death has had on your friends tells me everything I need to know. You will be missed.