The LAPD's elite Robbery-Homicide Division is investigating the death of a California State University, Northridge student, whose remains were found alongside a freeway in the Coachella Valley one month after he went missing.
Abdullah Alkadi was last seen on Sept. 17 at his home in Northridge. His remains were found about 11:50 p.m. Thursday alongside the 10 Freeway near the Cook Street overpass in Palm Desert, the Los Angeles Police Department said in a news release Friday.
Police initially said he was found in Indio but later clarified the discovery was in Palm Desert.
Details about Alkadi's cause of death were not immediately available, but LAPD Cmdr. Andy Smith said the Robbery-Homicide Division does not typically investigate suicides.
Police were expected to hold a news conference Monday.
"Because the investigation is at a crucial juncture, further information surrounding this investigation will not be released until the news conference," the release stated.
The campus community mourned Friday night after hearing the news.
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"It's just said," CSUN student Sehrish Waheed said. "I just wish that things turned out really different for him."
"I wish it was news that they found him alive, not dead, and he would return to his family," student Mehwish Waheed said.
CSUN President Dianne F. Harrison issued a statement Friday evening on Alkadi's death.
"It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of Abdullah Alkadi. On behalf of the entire campus community, I extend our condolences to his family and friends during this heartbreaking time. Losing such a promising young life is tragic," the statement read. "We will continue to assist law enforcement in any way we can as they investigate the circumstances of his death. Please join me in supporting the family and honoring Abdullah’s memory during this time of grieving."
Alkadi sold his car to a man he met through Craigslist when we went missing, but police said they contacted the buyer and cleared that person from any involvement in the disappearance.
Cellphone records traced him to the city of Beaumont, a city in which he has no contacts, shortly after he disappeared, Alkadi's cousin Allison Alomair told NBC4 last month.
His brother, Ahmed Alkadi, told NBC4 in September he was sure Abdullah was in the LA area and begged for the public's help to find him.
A Twitter account with Alkadi's name lists him as an electrical engineering student at CSUN. The most recent tweet is dated Sept. 14.
Beverly White contributed to this report.
