Members of the university community filled the Chapel of Saint Joseph late afternoon, March 19, for a prayer service for Mark Dombroski ’21, who had been missing in Bermuda since early Sunday morning.
Minutes into the prayer service, the community was informed that Dombroski’s body had been found. There was a collective gasp in the room when the news was shared.
“We didn’t find out until 15 minutes before the service that they had found him, but not alive,” said Dan Joyce, S.J., the St. Joe’s chaplain. “We had to quickly change up how we were praying.”
A member of the St. Joe’s men’s rugby team, Dombroski was discovered Monday afternoon in a moat about a mile and a half from where he was last seen alive in the early hours of Sunday morning. Dombroski, an undecided business major at St. Joe’s, was on the island along with nine other members of the St. Joe’s rugby team, to participate in the Ariel Re Bermuda International 7s rugby tour.
The rugby team left the island on March 18, while Coach Dan Yarusso stayed on the island to help with search efforts. Dombroski’s parents and brothers, who are from Media, Pennsylvania, were involved in the search on the island as well.
“I am still trying to absorb and process all of this. It’s a horrible occurrence,” said Art Grover, director of St. Joe’s Office of Public Safety & Security.
The Bermuda Police Service confirmed in a media conference at 5 p.m. EST today that they found Dombroski after an intensive search.
“We, the police service, extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends and to the community,” said James Howard, acting Assistant Commissioner of the force.
Howard did not confirm a cause of death in the ongoing investigation but said foul play has not been ruled out as of now.
Responses, thoughts and prayers have been pouring in since news first broke earlier this evening. The University Student Senate released a statement at about 6 p.m.:
“Our hearts break for the friends and family of Mark, and we now offer our prayers and support in this terrible time. We advise students who wish to talk about Mark’s passing to contact CAPS, professors, or fellow students. We are encouraged to look inward towards our community for support during this time. Please join the Saint Joseph’s Community in prayer for Mark and his loved ones.”
Joe Horton ’21 lived on Dombroski’s floor in Villiger Hall. The two men spent time hanging out together, talking about sports with their other floormates. Horton received Snapchats from Dombroski while the latter was in Bermuda.
“He is the person that brightens your day with a smile,” Horton said. “He’s always in a good mood.”
Dombroski last spoke to Malcolm Odum ’20 at Archmere Academy’s production of “Pippin” on March 3. Once the curtain fell, Dombroski and Odum, who also graduated from Archmere had a long conversation about the performance, discussing musical technique and comparing the show to previous productions.
“That was the last conversation I had with him,” Odum said. “That was the last vivid memory I have.”
Additional reporting by Charley Rekstis ’20, Vilma Fermin ’20 and Luke Malanga ’20.
