H 84°, L 66° | Tomorrow: 
H 85°, L 69°Las Cruces, N.M., police have determined a body found in a canal near Calle de Alegra last week is a University of Wisconsin student.
Police identified the body as Michael J. Mowers, 22, after matching Mowers' fingerprints to a national database, according to a release.
The body was found just before 4:30 p.m., Nov. 21, after a passerby noticed what appeared to be a body in a canal in the southern part of the city. Police discovered the body partially burned at the edge of a concrete culvert leading to the canal, according to a Nov. 21 release.
UW spokesperson John Lucas told the Las Cruces Sun-News Mowers was pursuing a bachelor's degree in the College of Letters and Science. He had been a student at UW for a total of three semesters starting in fall 2003, but had no declared major.
Mowers was classified as a sophomore and listed a Madison address, Lucas told the paper, although his hometown was not available.
It is still unknown why Mowers was in New Mexico.
Mower's cause of death has not yet been determined, as detectives are waiting for results from the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator in Albuquerque. Police told the Sun-News they cannot say if foul play was involved until the medical investigator determines cause of death.
University Communications did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment Thursday evening.
— Pedro Oliveira Jr.
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why were his prints in a national database? Why are anyones’? Just asking.
My condolences to his family.
IP hash: bda0b094
Damn, man. Huge coincidence, I don’t know what I can say. Rest in peace, dude. Good luck in your next life.
IP hash: 8996ee56
He was in the Navy for a short time (I think…we lived on the same dorm floor freshman year before he left school), so I think that’s how his prints were available.
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Mike went to Homestead H.S. (Mequon, WI) with my daughter and graduated in 2003. Mike was quick witted, always a gentleman and always willing to help. Our condolences to the family
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we had a class together. he was very smart and an incredibly nice guy. i am so sad that he is gone and i am so sorry for his family.
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Michael was my son’s best friend, growing up together as young boys. I will always remember how sweet, creative, and intelligent he was, and what a wonderful family he came from. He will always be in our hearts. We are heartbroken to hear of this tragedy, and send our deepest condolences to his family. Patti, Ken, Geoff, and Kathryn
IP hash: fc73d99d
I am a family member of Michaels, and even though we never met him we are very saddened of his death..These are my cousins whom I love dearly and I pray that whomever has done this to Michael will be found.. So anyone out there who has any information whatsoever please,please, call it in even if it is done anonymously..this family needs closer and so do we.. Also ask other agencys to check into this..Unsolved Mystery’s or Cold Case Cowboys and many more. We keep this family in our prayers.