Former Child Star Matthew Mindler Dies By Suicide

The death of a former child star whose body was found near his university campus has been ruled a suicide, according to local reports.

Matthew Mindler, 19, disappeared on Tuesday near the Millersville University campus, according to Lancaster Online. Search teams located his body in a wooded area on Saturday morning.

On Monday, the Lancaster County coroner’s office ruled Mindler’s death a suicide, according to Lancaster Online. A cause of death had yet to be determined, pending toxicology reports.

NBC’s WGAL 2 News confirmed the suicide ruling.

Mindler’s body was found in Manor Township, according to a statement by Millersville University in rural Pennsylvania. He was a first year student. 

“This is a time of grief for the family, our campus, and the community,” stated University President Dr. Daniel Wubah. “I ask that the campus community come together to support each other and our students during this difficult time.”

Mindler co-starred in the 2011 film ‘Our Idiot Brother’ alongside Paul Rudd, according to his acting profile on IMDB. Other acting credits included a role in the soap opera ‘As The World Turns’ and a 2016 TV movie titled ‘Chad: An American Boy.’

Mindler was reported missing to campus police on Tuesday when he didn’t come back to his room or return his family’s phone calls, according to an earlier statement from Millersville University. The school released a photo showing Mindler in the hallway shortly before his disappearance.

“Matt was last seen walking from his residence hall, West Villages toward the Centennial Dr. parking lot area at 8:11 p.m. Tuesday night,” the campus stated.

The photo showed Mindler in a white Millersville University hooded sweatshirt with black stripes on the arm, a black backpack, jeans, and white sneakers.

“Matt attended classes Monday and Tuesday but did not attend yesterday or this morning,” the statement continued.

On Thursday, aerial searches and search-and-rescue missions failed to locate Mindler in the 200-acre wooded area surrounding campus, according to Lancaster Online. More than 40 team members revisited the site on Saturday morning when they found Mindler’s body.

According to the statement released by the university, campus police worked with Mindler’s mother to file a missing persons report with the National Crime Information Center.

“It’s a time to wrap hands with each other and help one another,” said Millersville University president Dr. Wubah on Saturday, according to the school newspaper. “This is indeed a sad day for us, but we will get through it.”

Millersville University is offering counseling and support to its students and employees.