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Body of New Zealand college student found decomposing in dorm room after 8 weeks
The body of a 19-year-old New Zealand college student was discovered decomposing in his dorm room eight weeks after he died, a report said.
Mason Pendrous was only discovered Monday in his dorm room at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch after other students detected an odor, according to local new outlet Stuff.
A relative of Pendrous’ told the site they’re “waiting for answers” from the university.
“It’s not right, it’s just not right on any level,” the relative said.
It wasn’t clear how Pendrous died.
In order to identify his remains authorities had to utilize a disaster victim team, which uses DNA and dental records to make a positive identification, the site said.
The day before Pendrous was found, his stepfather reached out to his friends with concerns over his stepson’s whereabouts.
The stepfather said he’d contact police, a friend of Pendrous’ told Stuff. Local authorities didn’t confirm that account.
New Zealand Education Minister Chris Hipkins on Wednesday called on the school to investigate the student’s death.
“We’ll be looking very closely at the regulatory and legal arrangements around the halls of residence and hostels to make sure they are as strong as they need to be,” said Hipkins.
“But clearly I’m really concerned about this case.”
Cheryl de la Rey, the vice chancellor at the university, said in a statement that it’s “inconceivable to imagine how these circumstances could have occurred.”
She also said the university would conduct an independent investigation.
The university declined to answer questions from Stuff on when they were notified Pendrous was missing, and what protocols are in place to address such a situation.
With Post wires
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