Ann Arbor Police are now investigating the death of a fourth-year medical student at the University of Michigan (U of M) as a homicide. Autopsy results revealed that he died from a single gunshot wound.
Police said that Paul DeWolf, 25, was found dead in his off-campus apartment Wednesday in the Phi Rho Sigma fraternity house in the 200 block of North Ingalls Street.
DeWolf, was also an active duty Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force.
According to the police, when DeWolf failed to show up for a scheduled assignment at the Veteran's Affairs Hospital on Wednesday, one of his peers went to check on him and discovered his body around 11:30 a.m. That associate called 911.
"Upon the medical examiner's autopsy, we were able to determine the death was a homicide," said Sgt. Aimee Metzer with Ann Arbor Police.
When officers arrived at the scene of DeWolf's apartment, no firearm was discovered, the apartment appeared orderly and the valuables seemed to be untouched.
The Schoolcraft, Mich. native was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon and was set to graduate on May 16, 2014.
"We extend our deepest condolences to Paul's family, friends and colleagues. He was working and training among a close, nurturing community of healers and I know they will help each other through this difficult time. They will need the support of the broader campus community in the weeks and months ahead, and we will provide it," said Mary Sue Coleman, University of Michigan President.
This is considered to be the first homicide of a student on or near campus in at least a decade.
Michael R. Logghe, a former lieutenant and historian with the Ann Arbor Police Department said that student murders in Ann Arbor are 'virtually nonexistent.'
"It's an extremely safe campus, an extremely safe city. It's an aberration when it happens," Logghe said. "It's very, very, very rare.... That's why it's so shocking."
"It was a shock because I have always felt safe around campus," said Michelle Liang, U of M senior.
Friends remembered DeWolf as an ambitious and extremely smart student.
