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Police say Daniel Mellers was found dead in his car April 24 in Sherwood.

(Submitted photo)

A Sherwood resident's tip lead to the discovery of a missing 21-year-old George Fox University student's body, police said.

Daniel Mellers was last seen Saturday night. His roommates told police he never returned home from the store, the Newberg-Dundee police said Sunday. Mellers' cellphone provider told investigators the student's phone was in Sherwood, police had said over the weekend.

Around 7:30 p.m. Monday, a resident found a car matching the description of Mellers' car, a gray 2012 Toyota Corolla with Colorado license plates, Capt. Jeff Kosmicki, Newberg-Dundee spokesman, said in a news release. Detectives, with help from Sherwood investigators, responded to Southwest Houston Drive near Spratlin Lane. They found Mellers' body in the trunk of his car.

"Based on the details learned during this investigation, we are confident Daniel took his own life, and there is no threat to the public," Kosmicki said. He added the university has been notified.

Mellers was a sophomore student from Eaton, Colorado, the university said in a statement. University officials were present when police notified Mellers' roommates and friends of the death. The university said pastors and staff will be available to students for support.

"We are grieving over the loss of Daniel," said Brad Lau, vice president of student life. "This is not the conclusion to the search we were hoping and praying for. We would ask that people would keep Daniel's family and friends in their thoughts and prayers."

This post will be updated as news develops.

— Tony Hernandez

thernandez@oregonian.com

503-294-5928

@tonyhreports