A body found in Longview on Monday has been confirmed as that of University professor Frederick Schwink by the Champaign County Coroner’s Office.

Schwink was reported missing Sept. 9, after last being seen shopping at Meijer, 2500 S. Philo Rd. in Urbana at 1:30 a.m.

He was pronounced dead at the scene Monday afternoon after being found in a car near 200 N. Country Rd. in Longview.

Lt. Ed Ogle of the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office said a farmer cultivating crops near the area discovered the car and reported it to authorities. Ogle also said officials are investigating the case as an apparent suicide.

“The evidence in the vehicle was self-explanatory,” Ogle said. “We’re waiting for a toxicology report now to confirm the method of the cause of death.”

An autopsy conducted Tuesday identified Schwink using dental records. According to a report filed by Champaign County Coroner Duane Northrup, an inquest may be held at a later date. The death is being investigated by the Champaign County Sheriff’s Department, University of Illinois Police Department and the Champaign County Coroner’s Office.

University Police Lieutenant Roy Acree said Schwink was a professor of German studies in the Department of Germanic Languages. Officials in that department said Schwink taught three classes, which had since been taught by two department members and one non-department member.

“It is with a heavy heart that I share with you the sad news that our colleague Professor Frederick Schwink has died,” said Abbas Benmamoun, director of the School of Literatures, Cultures and Linguistics, in an e-mail. “He was a respected faculty of the Germanic Languages and Literatures Department and a valuable member of our school.”

He last communicated with students via e-mail on Sept. 8, informing them that he was cancelling class that day due to a personal issue.