Brother: Wis. student's death in Italy being treated as homicide
ROME (WLS) -- The death of a University of Wisconsin student one day after arriving in Rome for a study aboard program is now being investigated by Italian officials as a murder, according to the student's brother.
Beau Solomon, 19, a sophomore from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, went missing a day after arriving in Rome and was found dead, according to John Cabot University, where he was set to study as part of an exchange program.
Solomon was last seen late Thursday night drinking with friends at a bar. When his friends went to leave, they could not find him and alerted authorities when he didn't turn up for orientation at Cabot the next day. His body was found in the Tiber River.
Cole Solomon, Beau's 23-year-old brother, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that investigators believe someone killed him. He says his brother suffered a head wound and was found with blood on his shirt.
What's more, thousands of dollars were charged to his credit card after his disappearance.
"Most responsible kid ever. So when we see this happening we know it's not anything, this is just so uncharacteristic of Beau," said Cole Solomon.
He said his parents both left for Italy Sunday afternoon.
Beau Solomon was the star quarterback of his high school football team. He took enough advanced placement classes in high school that when combined with his summer in Italy would allow him to graduate in only three years.
All of this after battling cancer throughout most of his childhood.
"He had over 15 to 20 procedures growing up throughout his life and was able to overcome all of that," said Cole Solomon.
UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank issued a statement Monday saying everyone at the school is saddened by Beau Solomon's death.
"We express our most heartfelt condolences to the Solomon family and to all those who loved Beau," John Cabot University posted on their website.
Beau Solomon is from Spring Green, Wis.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
