Body of student who apparently hanged himself found on USF Tampa campus

TAMPA — The body of a 29-year-old University of South Florida student who apparently hanged himself on campus was discovered early Tuesday.

A jogger reported finding the body of Mark Andrew Ratliff about 7:45 a.m. in woods near Spectrum Drive, USF police said. Ratliff hanged himself from a tree, said USF Lt. Chris Daniel.

Ratliff's vehicle and a note were found in a nearby parking lot. Authorities were still investigating but said it appears to be a suicide, police said.

"The University of South Florida is deeply saddened by the death of Mark Andrew Ratliff," spokeswoman Lara Wade said in a statement.

Ratliff was a graduate student majoring in architecture. He enrolled at USF in 2002, graduating in 2005 with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering. He enrolled again in May.