“We’re looking at a tremendous and complicated set of issues,” he said. “At this point, we can’t rule out any possibilities.”

Cincoski said Chesterton police have received “a couple dozen” leads regarding Cotter’s death and are treating it as a homicide. Police have no suspects.

“The circumstances present at the scene indicate that there are suspicious factors to her death,” Cincoski said.

Cincoski declined to elaborate on the suspicious factors.

On Jan. 9, police discovered the body of the international relations junior at a Chesterton golf course. Porter County Coroner Victoria Deppe said Cotter died of blunt force trauma to the chest and abdomen. Deppe said she is awaiting further tests that will shed light on Cotter’s death.

Who or what caused the blunt force trauma is unknown, Cincoski said.

Being struck with a fast moving object, falling from a high distance and car accidents can cause blunt force trauma, Deppe said.

Friends of Cotter said she was planning to make a trip to Chicago to meet a friend, but Cincoski said those statements are not connected to Cotter’s involvement with Chesterton.

“We cannot confirm where she was going or why she was in this area,” Cincoski said. “There is no connection to Chicago at this time.”

Police believe Cotter stayed at a Benton Harbor motel from 3:30-11:30 a.m. on Jan. 7. Police have been in contact with motel employees.

Cincoski said he has no reason to believe Cotter’s death is anything other than “an isolated incident.”

Her family declined to comment.

Cotter’s funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. today at St. James Catholic Church, 1010 S. Lansing St., in Mason.

There will be a candlelit vigil at 10:30 p.m. at the rock on Farm Lane.