Cops: Missing Stony Brook University student found safe

Stony Brook University student Michael McLaughlin, who had been missing since Dec. 13, has been found and is safe, university officials said Wednesday.

University police had been leading the search for McLaughlin, 20, of upstate Cornwall, for nearly two weeks.

He was found late Christmas night and is “safe,” university Police Chief Robert Lenahan wrote in an email sent out to the campus community Wednesday. “We would like to thank the entire campus community for the concern, support and efforts made to help our department in our search. We ask that you respect the student's privacy at this time.”

Police did not release details about his disappearance or how he was found.

McLaughlin’s family could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday.

The chemistry major was last seen on campus at 4 a.m. Dec. 13, and was reported missing Dec. 15, having missed his final exams and his work shift with the Stony Brook Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Police last week said they believed he may have been traveling across the country.

McLaughlin had been nervous about his finals, his mother, Diana McLaughlin, previously said. The family and police last week called for the public's help in locating McLaughlin. His mother had said he was not responding to text messages, phone calls or emails from friends and family members.