A missing American teenager was found dead yesterday.

Mark Dombroski, 19, was found at Fort Prospect, Devonshire, yesterday afternoon, a day and a half after he disappeared in the wake of a night out in Hamilton with friends.

Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police James Howard said yesterday: “Foul play is not ruled out.”

Mr Howard added that an update on the inquiry into the circumstances of the Pennsylvania student’s death would be issued today.

He said: “The Bermuda Police Service extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends, and to the community.”

Mr Howard said Mr Dombroski’s body was found in the moat at Fort Prospect, near police headquarters.

He added that the area had been cordoned off and that investigators were examining the scene.

Mr Howard said: “We expect an autopsy to be carried out in due course.”

Mr Howard declined to say who found the body.

He added: “I’d rather not say that at this particular time, other than there were police officers there.”

A police spokesman confirmed that members of Mr Dombroski’s family and members of the Royal Bermuda Regiment were part of the search team that made the grim find.

Police said earlier yesterday that Mr Dombroski had been captured on CCTV and appeared to be using a mobile phone.

Mr Howard said yesterday that details of the call were not available “at this time”.

Confirmation of Mr Dombroski’s death came just hours after his mother, Lisa, made a heartfelt plea for the safe return of her son.

Mrs Dombroski told a press conference: “We deeply love our son, we cherish our son. We love him dearly and want him back.”

Mr Dombroski, on the island for the Ariel Re Bermuda International Sevens tournament as part of a team from St Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, was last seen at the Dog House bar on Front Street shortly after midnight on Saturday. He was spotted on CCTV on East Broadway at about 1am and ten minutes later on Middle Road in Devonshire.

The Bermuda Police Service and the Royal Bermuda Regiment announced yesterday afternoon that they would carry out a search in the area for Mr Dombroski.

Mrs Dombroski thanked Bermuda residents for their “shoulder to shoulder” support at the press conference held just hours before her son’s body was found.

She added: “They’re helping us, they are with us.”

Mrs Dombroski said that Monday was the feast day of St Joseph.

She explained: “My son is a freshman at St Joseph’s University. It would be a wonderful thing if on St Joseph’s feast day, God please would reunite us with our wonderful son.”

Mrs Dombroski was joined at the press conference by Mr Dombroski’s father John, and brothers John and Kevin.

Police said at the conference that Mr Dombroski was filmed by a CCTV camera on Middle Road, near Shelton Road.

He was headed east — the opposite direction from where he was staying at Warwick Camp.

Officers also carried out searches in the Crow Lane and East Broadway areas, while police from the marine unit scoured Hamilton Harbour.

Mr Howard said police were also conducting an “extensive review” of the island’s CCTV network.

Mr Dombroski was reported missing by his worried family early on Sunday morning. He had been due to leave the island with his parents later that day.

Local rugby clubs launched a search of the Railway Trail and other areas for Mr Dombroski.

Mr Howard thanked members of the public for their efforts and interest.

Pictures showing Mr Dombroski in Hamilton on Saturday night had circulated on social media.

David Burt, the Premier, described the news yesterday afternoon as the “saddest possible outcome”.

Mr Burt added: “I know that I speak for all of Bermuda in expressing our heartfelt condolences to the Dombroski family at such a devastating loss.

“This young man was full of promise and this tragic end to his life will be mourned by his team-mates and friends in Pennsylvania.

“In the difficult days ahead, my hope is that his family will draw strength from the memories of his life and comfort in knowing that the people of Bermuda continue to extend their thoughts and prayers across the seas.”

Opposition leader Jeanne Atherden said: “The Bermuda community has been greatly impacted by the number of tragic losses of life over the past few days.

“The One Bermuda Alliance, like the rest of the community, are extremely saddened by these unimaginable losses of life and would like to send our heartfelt condolences to the families of these loved ones and all of those who have been touched by these tragedies.

“We would like to also acknowledge with appreciation those persons who worked tirelessly to respond to these situations.”

Anyone with photos, videos or any other information that could assist the inquiry should contact police.

• On occasion The Royal Gazette may decide to not allow comments on a story that we deem might inflame sensitivities or discontinue them when the discourse is lowered by commenters to unacceptable standards. As we are legally liable for any libellous or defamatory comments made on our website, this move is for our protection as well as that of our readers.