Officials progress with Sharon investigation
By TERESA FRALISH
Assistant News Editor
One week after police identified Chad Sharon's body as the one found Feb. 12 in the St. Joseph River, officials are moving forward with the police investigation and funeral and memorial arrangements for Sharon.
Sharon's body was discovered under the Angela Bridge by construction workers on Feb. 12. Autopsy results indicated that the cause of death was drowning. The Fisher Hall freshman had been unaccounted for since he was last seen Dec. 12 at a party on Corby Street.
Rex Rakow, director of Notre Dame Security Police, said that it was not possible to establish an exact date or time of death for Sharon based on the autopsy results, but estimated that Sharon died "probably within a week or so" after his Dec. 12 disappearance. "You can make some pretty wide guesses [in this case]," said Rakow.
Rakow said members of his department had not yet met with the St. Joseph County Metro Homicide Police, but expected that such a meeting would take place within a week or two when the Homicide Police began to closely investigate Sharon's death.
"They're waiting for blood tests to come back to assess what might have been in his system," said Rakow.
The Metro Homicide Police will be responsible for the investigation into Sharon's death, although Rakow said he expected to provide them with information concerning the missing persons case that NDSP had been investigating.
University officials have also finalized plans for funeral and memorial arrangements for Sharon. Funeral services for the Fisher freshman will be held Saturday at Bible Presbyterian Church in Merrill, Wis., near Sharon's hometown of Pelican Lake, Wis. Visitation hours will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and be immediately followed by a memorial service.
The University will provide transportation for students who want to attend the funeral, said Matt Storin, University spokesman. Buses are scheduled to leave from the library circle at 11:45 p.m. on Friday. In making the decision to provide such services for students, Storin said officials considered past instances where the University had offered transportation to the funerals of other Notre Dame students.
Notre Dame officials have also planned a memorial Mass for Sharon to take place Tuesday at 5:15 p.m. in the Basilica. Storin said the Sharon family would be available to talk with students and others before the Mass at 4 p.m. in the Lady Chapel of the Basilica and that Sharon's parents hope that those who knew their son personally will come forward as well as others who wish to express their sympathy.
"[The Sharons] are very taken with the family aspect of Notre Dame," said Storin. "It's open to any student who would like to express their condolences."
All News Stories for Wednesday, February 19, 2003
