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Police Looking For Vehicle Spotted Near Body Of Murdered NDSU Student

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- More information was released Monday about the Minnesota college student who was murdered last fall after just a month away from home.

On Sept. 23, 2014, Tom Bearson's body was found outside a recreational vehicle store in Moorhead, three days after he was last seen at a party about six blocks from his dorm in Fargo, North Dakota. The Sartell man's death was ruled a homicide.

Fargo Police Chief Dave Todd said the case is "difficult" and he "can't help but get personally involved," during a Monday press conference convened by the Fargo, North Dakota and Moorhead police departments. Todd said he's keeping the case on the front burner.

Police said Bearson did not die from an alcohol or drug overdose and was not working as a drug informant. The results of his autopsy will not be released at this time, however, because the information is still sensitive, according to the Moorhead police chief.

Police said a car was spotted on a surveillance camera from an RV dealership near where Bearson's body was found. Now police are asking for the public's help to find it. The black car is visible in these three photos:

bearson car
(credit: Moorhead Police Department)
bearson car
(credit: Moorhead Police Department)
bearson car
(credit: Moorhead Police Department)

After the press conference, the Bearson family released this statement:

We remain optimistic that our beloved son's killer or killers will be caught.

We'd like to thank all law enforcement for their commitment to ultimately providing our family with justice.

We'd also like to thank the support of our family, friends, and the Sartell community.

Please, if you know anything, call the Moorhead Police promptly.

Remember to hug your children.

Police added that Fargo-Moorhead is still one of the safest places to live and send your kids to school.

No arrests have been made, and police have not identified a suspect or motive. Authorities also have not found Bearson's missing mobile phone and tennis shoe.

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