‘Vigil for Vinnie’ Remembers Missing UNH Student

The UNH community came together Monday night for a candlelight vigil to remember student Vincenzo Lirosi as the investigation into his death continues.

Lirosi went missing after attending a fraternity party in a block of apartments on Main Street in Durham early Saturday morning. His body was found Sunday afternoon in a marshy area off Coe Drive by a K-9 team.

Video of the vigil shows students leaving candles and notes on the steps of Thompson Hall about Lirosi who had started at UNH in the spring, according to the school.

A family friend created a GoFundMe page to assist his family with the familyfuneral costs.

"He meant a lot to so many people and me and my mom really appreciate everything you guys are doing to help us out during this tough time," his brother Gio wrote on the page. He also thanked those who came to the vigil.

"This picture doesn’t do the crowd justice, but all of you who were there at the vigil and everyone that have been sending messages and those who were silently supporting us we love all of you so much. Thank you all so much it means everything to us," Gio Lirosi wrote.

The investigation into the events that led to Vincenozo Lirosi's death continues by Durham Police. The Whitman, Massachusetts resident was attended a party with members of the Sigma Chi fraternity, according to Durham Police Chief Rene Kelley

Kelley said the fraternity does not own or rent a traditional fraternity house but instead rents a block of apartments.

The fraternity was suspended as the investigation continued, according to a message from UNH Dean of Students Michael Blackman.

"As is common practice when an investigation involves a fraternity, we were in touch with the organization's national headquarters and collectively agreed to interim suspend the organization effective immediately," Blackman wrote. "This decision is not the result of an investigation or a formal finding of responsibility, but it is an important step while the Durham Police Department continues its investigation."

The school was also concerned about the well being of those affected by Lirosi's death.

"We join the community today in mourning the loss of Vincenzo Lirosi. Please look out for each other, Wildcats, and reach out to @UNHpacs if you need to," the schools' Student Accessibility Services wrote.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNH