Employee finds body inside water pump at UNC Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, NC (FOX 46) - A body discovered in a water pump at UNC Charlotte has police searching for answers and residents in the area in disbelief.

"Wow, it's a shocker," said Jim McNally, a resident. "To find out they found a body in the, what is that a pump? Well that's just shocking."

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said they were called to the 900 block of Mary Alexander Road on an assist other agency call. The road is near Robinson Hall, a performing arts theater.

According to UNCC police, an employee discovered the body in a pump located on campus in the late morning.

The pump where the body was found is used to irrigate the lawn and is routinely checked during the week, according to UNCC Police Chief Jeffrey Baker. Folks nearby described an awful odor in the air, but it's not clear if the smell led to the discovery.

"We had no shut down of campus," said UNCC Police Chief Jeffrey Baker. "There was no suspension of any services to the campus community and there was no threat to the campus community."

The university posted an update on it's website stating that "an unidentified body was discovered close to the entrance of campus" and sent an email to students informing them of what was happening. 

Statement from UNCC website: Date Published: 

Friday, October 21, 2016

The University was notified today that an unidentified body was discovered close to the entrance of campus. CMPD is investigating the incident. The police do not believe that there is any connection, nor threat, to the campus community. UNC Charlotte will stay in communication with CMPD and will provide any relevant updates, as appropriate. Again, the campus is safe and there is no threat to students, faculty or staff.

A senior we spoke with said he hadn't noticed the email that was sent out. Instead he found out what was happening by the heavy police presence on campus.

"I will be keeping an eye out making sure nothing shady is happening," said senior Devang Oza. "Something so close to home happening; I'm definitely going to keep an eye out."

CMPD is handling the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers.