Just a day after arriving in Rome, a Wisconsin student was found dead in the Tiber River and his family believes he was murdered prompting an investigation from police officials.
Fox News reported that the student was identified as Beau Solomon, 19. His body was pulled from the water early Monday and as per a local news agency in Rome, they reported that two Italians have come forward saying that they saw a man throw a person into the Tiber River late Thursday or early Friday morning near the Garibaldi Bridge.
The local news agency, identified as ANSA, added that Solomon suffered from a wound on his head and his shirt was bloodied when he was pulled out of the river. Autopsy results claim that Solomon suffered injuries consistent with falling. The body was also said to be under the water for days but the exact cause of death is yet to be determined.
Solomon reportedly went out with his friend on Thursday and they went to a pub. This was just hours after he arrived in Rome. The school was then alerted by the roommate of Solomon saying that he lost contact with the Wisconsin student last Thursday evening. Officials added that the student then failed to show up for his scheduled orientation on Friday.
Officials contacted a credit card company listed under Solomon's name and the family has learned that somebody has charged thousands of dollars using his account. One of the purchases made using his car amounted to around $1,700 at a store in Milan. The wallet and phone of Solomon were both missing and officials are looking at the angle of a possible robbery.
Solomon was from Spring Green and University of Wisconsin-Madison. He recently completed his first year as a personal finance major. He was in Rome to study at John Cabot University. He also battled cancer for 10 years until he turned 12.
This is not the first incident of an American student being killed in Rome. In 2012, a student was allegedly stabbed by his roommate after a night of drinking and possible drug usage. The student fortunately survived.
In the past, a young American arrived in Rome to study but fell to his death. Another case involved a young American male student who was reported missing after leaving a bear. He was found dead near the train tracks in a tunnel.
John Cabot University released a statement regarding Solomon's death saying, "We express our most heartfelt condolences to the Solomon family and to all those who loved Beau." The investigation is ongoing.
