KOCHVILLE TOWNSHIP, MI — Tears and laughter filled the brisk winter air as a few hundred people turned out for a candlelight vigil in honor of a student found dead by his roommate at Saginaw Valley State University.

People gathered at 10 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, outside of the First Year Suites, the dorms where Seth Thomas was found dead shortly before 1 p.m. earlier that day.

Thomas, a biology major from Dryden in Lapeer County, was 18, according to J.J. Boehm, spokesman for the university.

"A few members of Seth's family drove from Dryden to attend, and they said they appreciated seeing the outpouring of support," Boehm said.

One person at the vigil said Thomas "was the most outgoing shy kid," as his family listened to others share memories about him.

A cause of Thomas' death was not released, and police are still investigating, though Boehm said there was no obvious signs of foul play. An autopsy is scheduled for Thomas on Thursday, Dec. 4.

Boehm said President Don Bachand spoke with Thomas' mother and father Tuesday afternoon and extended condolences to them on behalf of the university.

"It was remarkable to see so many students turn out to support one another and to express their sorrow at losing someone who had been part of the SVSU community for only a few months," Boehm said.

There were 500 people in attendance, according to Boehm's account.

The Student Counseling Center has been offering grief counseling to students and staff Tuesday and their staff will remain on campus until they have met with all students requesting their services, Boehm said.

MLive Photographer Coty Giannelli contributed to this report.

Bob Johnson is a public safety reporter for MLive/The Saginaw News. Contact him at 989-395-3295, by email at

or follow him on

,

or

.