Murry “Alexis” Foust Found Deceased in Wilder, Kentucky After Month-Long Search for Missing NKU Student

 In Wilder, Kentucky, a months-long missing persons search has ended in tragedy after the body of 22-year-old Northern Kentucky University student Murry “Alexis” Foust was discovered in a wooded area near Steel Plant Road, according to the Covington Police Department. The discovery was made Sunday by an independent search group, bringing a heartbreaking conclusion to a case that had drawn widespread attention and community involvement across Northern Kentucky.

Authorities confirmed that investigators from Covington Police, the Wilder Police Department, and the Campbell County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene and are now working jointly to determine the circumstances surrounding Foust’s death. Officials stated that there are currently no signs of foul play, though a full autopsy and official determination of cause of death are still pending as part of the ongoing investigation.

Foust had been missing since April 27, when he was last seen in Covington’s Latonia neighborhood. Surveillance footage released by police showed the NKU student walking alone while carrying a distinctive yellow backpack during the evening hours, between approximately 5:45 and 6:15 p.m., which became a key reference point in the early stages of the search effort.

At the time of his disappearance, friends reported that Foust had been planning to attend class but never arrived. His phone was later found inside his apartment, while his backpack was reportedly discovered on the Northern Kentucky University campus, and his vehicle remained parked near his residence—details that intensified concern among family, friends, and investigators searching for answers.

As the search expanded over several weeks, hundreds of volunteers joined family members and local organizations in coordinated efforts to locate him. Search teams, including EquuSearch Midwest, assisted with drones, K-9 units, boats, and extensive ground searches along the Licking River and surrounding wooded terrain in both Covington and Wilder, reflecting the scale of community involvement in the effort.

Foust’s family also organized their own search operations, using mapping tools and volunteer coordination to cover difficult and heavily wooded areas near the river and industrial zones. Community members from across Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati contributed to awareness campaigns, sharing missing person flyers and online posts in hopes of generating leads that might bring him home safely.

Friends and classmates described Foust as a dedicated and talented fine arts student at Northern Kentucky University, where he was preparing for graduation from the School of the Arts. His disappearance and the eventual discovery of his body have left a deep emotional impact on both the campus community and those who participated in the search efforts over the past several weeks.

Northern Kentucky University released a statement expressing heartbreak over the loss and extended support resources for students affected by the news. As investigators continue their work, the community now turns toward mourning and remembering a young student whose life and future were cut short far too soon, while officials continue seeking clarity on the final days leading up to his disappearance.