A missing Missouri college student who disappeared during an extended spring break trip home was found dead on Saturday in Illinois, near where her abandoned car had been discovered.

Melissa Oelke, 21, was reported missing on Thursday after she left her St. Peters, Mo. home without her phone at around 7:30 a.m. that same day, the St. Peters Police Department said.

Oelke, a student at the private art College of Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan, had been home for spring break at the time of her disappearance, her father, Gerald Oelke, told the Belleville News-Democrat.

Gerald Oelke revealed to the outlet that his daughter had been stressed out over her recent midterms and extended her spring break to focus on her mental health.

After leaving her residence Thursday morning, Oelke drove around and made several stops, including at a Target in her hometown, a grocery store and a Walgreens, the outlet reported.

Oelke’s car was later found abandoned on the side of a rural road outside of St. Jacob, Illinois, approximately 60 miles east of her home.

Police swarmed the rural roadway where Oelke’s empty car was discovered stuck in an embankment near a creek, according to photos obtained by the outlet.

A dashcam inside the car had been removed before the vehicle was found, Gerald Oelke said.

Oelke had “several medical conditions that require attention,” creating a more urgent search for officials concerned for the missing student’s well-being.

Illinois emergency officials launched a search of the area looking for Oelke, using drones and K-9 units.

Officials revealed Oelke was found dead on Saturday in Madison County, Illinois, the same county her car had been discovered the day before.

A cause of death has not been released, but officials have ruled out foul play and believe there is no threat to the public, KMOV reported.

“We ask that you keep her family in your thoughts during this difficult time. Thank you to everyone who shared this post and offered your prayers,” the St. Peters Police Department said.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KFVS) – The Arts Council (AC) of Southeast Missouri has a new executive director.

The AC Board of Directors has named Kate Cooper to lead the organization in their next chapter.

In a released statement on Wednesday, April 1, the AC said, “Kate’s roots here, combined with her artistic perspective and collaborative spirit, make her an inspiring addition to our organization and a natural fit to help guide our next phase of growth.”

They also said Cooper’s murals and sculptures can be seen throughout Cape Girardeau.

The public is welcome to meet Cooper at a special reception in conjunction with First Friday on May 1.

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A Columbia man has been arrested and charged after witnesses said he walked into a woman’s apartment and threatened to stab her at Oak Towers Apartments, according to court documents.

Jerome Keith Porter, 65, was charged Monday with unlawful use of weapon, first-degree burglary and fourth-degree assault.

On Saturday, the Columbia Police Department was dispatched to 700 North Garth Avenue in relation to a burglary with a weapon, according to court documents.

Boone County Joint Communications advised the officer that a woman said a man walked into her apartment and threatened her with a knife, according to a probable cause statement. Court documents indicate the woman is 75 years old.

The woman said she was sitting in her apartment when Porter allegedly entered without her consent. She said Porter asked her for money, and when she said she would not give him money, Porter allegedly responded by pulling out a paring knife, according to the probable cause statement. The woman said Porter allegedly waved the knife at her and claimed he said he was going to kill somebody, according to the statement.

Police found Porter in his residence, which is in the same apartment building where the incident occurred, according to court documents.

The officers also found a witness in Porter’s residence who said he saw Porter in the elevator with a knife wrapped in a towel, according to court documents.

Porter had an initial appearance at 1 p.m. on Monday over video, and he is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond.