A Mercer County Community College student who was reported missing last month was found dead Monday across from the college, Hamilton police said.

Authorities said Hamilton officers and state police troopers found the body of Nicholas Pratico around 10 a.m. Monday across from Mercer County Community College on Old Trenton Avenue in West Windsor. Pratico’s family reported him missing on Sept. 20.

Officials said the Middlesex County Medical Examiner’s Office will perform an autopsy to determine Pratico’s cause of death.

Pratico’s friends and family organized a massive search effort to look for the 18-year-old. The Facebook page “Find Nick Pratico” was created to organize search parties and compile information. The family was also offering a reward for information about his disappearance.

Pratico’s family posted on the Facebook page Monday evening, thanking the community and law enforcement for coming together to search for the 18-year-old.

Authorities initially believed that Pratico was heading to New York City. Pratico was to start attending the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts come January.

Anyone with any information regarding Pratico’s disappearance or death is asked to contact Detective Len Gadsby of the Hamilton police at 609-581-4032 or the Hamilton police crime tip hotline at 609-581-4008.