We are learning more about the missing University of Houston student Jade “Sage” McKissic after the 20-year-old’s body was recovered earlier this week from Brays Bayou off Spur 5.
INITIAL REPORT: Body located in Houston’s Brays Bayou
An autopsy revealed no signs of trauma or foul play, but the Houston Police Department said her cause of death remains under investigation.
Officials say McKissic was last seen leaving LA Burgers and Daiquiris at North MacGregor on September 11th. The restaurant’s owner told police she appeared to be herself and was headed toward downtown Houston.
Before that, HPD said in a news release that she spent the evening with her friends at local bars before going to a bar by herself, also leaving her cell phone behind. Investigators said she went to a gas station next door afterward to buy a drink before walking toward Brays Bayou on the corner of Scott and MacGregor.
McKissic was reported missing on Sept. 14; four days later, her body was found Monday on Spur 5, just 2.5 miles away from Brays Bayou.
McKissic, a junior majoring in strategic communications and advertising, was a campus resident and student employee.
The Cougar has also been covering her disappearance.
UH officials described her passing as “profoundly sad” and noted she was a friend to many in the community.
Students on campus expressed shock and concern over McKissic’s death.
“It’s scary to know that this can happen to anybody at any time,” said student Carlee Reeves.
Emerale Cortez added, “It doesn’t matter if you go in a group or not; it can still happen to you.”
The University of Houston is offering counseling and other resources to help students cope with the loss. A spokesperson also shared the following statement:
“This incident occurred off-campus, and the Houston Police Department remains the lead agency on the investigation. The University of Houston follows nationally recognized best practices for campus safety communications and Clery Act requirements, which mandate timely notifications when an incident poses a serious, immediate or ongoing threat to our on-campus community. Because this situation did not present a threat on campus, a university-wide alert was not issued. UH continues to monitor developments and remains in close contact with law enforcement.”
Daiquiris