University of South Carolina student found dead

A University of South Carolina junior, Sam Laundon, was found dead on Oct. 11 after being reported missing

According to coroner reports, the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head and body.

The 19-year-old was last seen and later reported missing early morning Oct. 10 near the Olympia-Granby area.

On Oct. 11, a body was found by the rescue crews matching the description of Laundon.

Richland County Coroner Gary Watts confirmed the body found near the quarry was Laudon on Oct. 12.

Laundon was last seen around 2:30 a.m. while walking with friends in a neighborhood not far from the university campus. The sheriff’s department said the group got lost and Laundon jumped a fence “to reach his destination faster.”

Laundon’s friends contacted someone to pick them up, but Laundon refused to climb back over the fence to join his friends.

According to officials, Laundon’s body was discovered in an area that was difficult to reach by foot.

Laundon’s funeral will be held Sunday, Oct. 18, at 3 p.m.