Rylan Cotter Tribute

The 20-year-old international relations junior’s body was discovered Jan. 9 at Brassie Golf Course in Chesterton, Ind.

Cotter died of blunt force trauma to the chest and abdomen, said Porter County Coroner Victoria Deppe. The cause of the trauma is still unknown, but police are treating Cotter’s death as a homicide.

More than 60 mourners gathered for a candlelight vigil in Cotter’s honor. But there were more smiles than tears as friends relived fond memories of Cotter.