Body Discovered At Sonoma State Identified As Missing 18-Year-Old Cotati Man

ROHNERT PARK (CBS SF) -- Human remains discovered covered in mud on the Sonoma State University campus have been identified as the body of a missing 18-year-old Cotati resident, sheriff's deputies said.

Sonoma County sheriff's deputies said Thursday night the body is that of Kirk Kimberly, who has been missing since October 17.

The remains were discovered by a university employee shortly after noon on Wednesday, about 200 yards from a campus parking lot and covered in dirt and debris.

Sonoma State University police issued a campus alert Wednesday night to all students after the shallow grave was found.

Around 3 p.m. on Thursday, the body was unearthed and taken to the morgue.

Through fingerprints, the forensic pathologist was able to determine that the body was that of Kimberly.

His parents have been notified, deputies said.

Prior to the identification of the body, Anthony Durenberger voiced concerns earlier on Thursday that the remains could belong to Kimberly.

"A family friend has been missing for two weeks. Kirk Kimberly, lives in Cotati," said Durenberger. "He left he left home and has not come back."

His death is being investigated as a homicide. As of Thursday night, deputies had not announced any arrests in the case.

Anyone with information about Kimberly's disappearance or his death are urged to contact Detective Horsman of the Sonoma County Sheriff's Violent Crimes Unit at (707) 565-2185.

By Hannah Albarazi - Follow her on Twitter: @hannahalbarazi.