Dead Body Found Near Campus

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the death of 55-year-old Clark Carvelli, who was found in the woods adjacent to the university's Canal Road entrance Thursday afternoon.

A university facilities and maintenance employee reported a tent in the woods, which are government property, to the Department of Public Safety Thursday afternoon. DPS notified the National Park Service, who then notified MPD at about 3 p.m. MPD is now handling the investigation.

According to MPD Public Information Officer Hugh Carew, officers found the man dead when they arrived. Carew said it appears that the man died of natural causes.

Carvelli had been living in and around the woods near Georgetown for the past 25 years, according to his friend, Joseph Cunningham. Cunningham, who was on the scene and interviewed by MPD, was the owner of the tent in which Carvelli was found deceased.

According to Cunningham, Carvelli suffered from heart murmurs and had been diagnosed with Hepatitis C.

An MPD official said that the cold nighttime temperature may have played a role in Carvelli's death, but an autopsy would be necessary to confirm hypothermia. Cunningham did not think that hypothermia was the cause of death.

"I don't think it was the harsh cold weather, because we had plenty of warm camping gear," he said.

Hoya Staff Writers Sarah Kaplan and Matt Strauss contributed to this report.