Crime & Safety
Missing Rye Student Found Dead
Reports say John Durkin was hit by a train in Rome, Italy.
A Rye native who went missing earlier this week while studying abroad in Rome, Italy has been found dead, according to his family.
John Durkin, 21, a student at Bates College and graduate of The Governor's Academy in Byfield, MA, went missing early Thursday morning. He was in Italy as part of the Trinity College Program in Rome. He was last seen by friends at a bar named Sloppy Sam's in Campo dei Fiori.
"It is with much sadness that the Durkin family informs you of the loss of John Nolen Durkin and thanks everyone for their support during the past few days," Durkin's cousin posted Saturday on a Facebook page that had been set up in an effort to help find the missing Seacoast resident.
According to CBS Boston, an Italian news agency is reporting that Durkin died after he was hit by a train on Thursday morning.
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New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan said in a Tweet Saturday that she was "Deeply saddened to learn of the loss of John Durkin. Thoughts & prayers are with his parents, friends and loved ones in this difficult time."
"Tragic news about Rye student John Durkin," added U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. "Thoughts are with his family during this difficult time."
U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte said "My heart goes out to the family & friends of John Durkin. They are all in our thoughts & prayers."
U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter also issued a statement, saying "So sorry to hear the very sad news of John Durkin's death. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and all those who loved him."
In a statement on the school's website, Bates College President Clayton Spencer said "This is a time of deep sadness for our community and for so many people who knew and loved John. We are profoundly sad and share the tremendous grief of his family."
Durkin was an economics major and Asian studies minor at Bates, as well as a linebacker on the Bates football team.
"The Bates football family is deeply saddened by the loss of our friend and teammate John Durkin," head football coach Mark Harriman said. "John’s commitment to excellence in all phases of his life was inspirational to the other members of the squad and a major factor in the team’s success over the past three years.
"We will remember the fortitude and character that John displayed on a daily basis and attempt to emulate those standards. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Durkin family during this difficult time."
The college said it plans to hold a gathering in memory of Durkin after consulting with his family.
James F. Jones Jr., the president of Trinity College, also ssued a statement Saturday saying Durkin's death appears to be "an isolated incident.
"I wish to express my deepest sympathies, and those of the entire Trinity College community, to the family and friends of John," Jones said. "By all accounts, he was an exemplary young man and a student-athlete in the truest sense of the word. I also want to extend my sincere condolences to Bates College, my gratitude to Trinity administrators at our Rome campus, as well as to the Trinity staff in Hartford for their dedication and hard work during this tragic and difficult time."
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