Chesterton, Ind., police said Wednesday that the body of MSU student Rylan Cotter was lying 28 feet from the base of an electrical tower when she was discovered.

The international relations junior was found dead Jan. 9. on a golf course in Chesterton.

“There are several (electrical towers) that do run through the area, but we’re still determining whether or not that tower or any of those towers is a factor,” said Chesterton police Lt. Dave Cincoski, the case’s chief investigator.

Police are still investigating the cause of death but are treating the case as a homicide.

An autopsy found Cotter died from blunt force trauma to the chest and abdomen.

“We’re looking into all aspects of the investigation, not limited to homicide, suicide, accidental or incidental death or otherwise,” Cincoski said.

Police said Tuesday that video evidence shows Cotter at a Chesterton area business around 12:45 p.m. Jan. 7. This is the earliest known documentation of Cotter’s presence in the town where she was found dead two days later.

Holiday break-ins

East Lansing police continue to search for the suspects involved in several break-ins during winter break in neighborhoods near campus.

East Lansing police Lt. Kevin Daley said in early January eight computers were stolen in three separate incidents between Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 near Division, Charles and Ann streets.

Police are working with the companies of the stolen computers to track the individuals in possession of the swiped goods.

Daley said police are following up with some suspects but haven’t made any arrests.

January armed robbery

Police are still searching for leads and suspects in the Jan. 27 armed robbery of a student walking near the intersection of Albert Avenue and Orchard Street.

The then-23-year-old male student said a suspect approached him from behind with a gun and demanded money.

The victim described the suspect as a 6-foot-1-inch black male in his early to mid-20s with a thin build, dark eyes, light skin and black dreadlocks. Daley said police have no new information but are continuing to investigate the robbery.