Virginia professor found dead in men's sauna after disappearing from Florida conference

Virginia professor who went missing during a conference in Florida was found dead in a men's sauna.

Orlando, FL - A college professor from Virginia who went missing after attending an academic conference in Florida was eventually found dead in a popular men's sauna.

David Hanbury, 37, was a professor of psychology at Averett University in Danville, Virginia. He disappeared while attending a meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association. On Saturday, his body was found in a well-known men's sauna in Orlando, but law enforcement has not yet revealed the exact location. The cause of Hanbury's death has not yet been confirmed, but Orlando police told USA Today that the circumstances "don't look suspicious."

Averett University posted news of Hanbury's death on its official Facebook page, praising him as a "beloved faculty member" who had a "lasting impact" on those around him. It is with heavy hearts that we share the heartbreaking news of Dr. David Hanbury's passing," said Tiffany Franks, president of Averett University. On behalf of the entire Averett community, we extend our condolences and prayerful support to Dr. Hanbury's family, friends and all others who have been impacted by him."

In another Facebook post, Hanbury's brother, JJ, mentioned that his brother "wasn't the type of guy to go to parties" and didn't return phone calls or contact their mother during his disappearance, which began to worry the family.JJ said Hanbury would normally have been in frequent communication with his mother. "We're all struggling, it's so hard. I've never been through anything like this," he wrote. "I don't know what I would do without my youngest brother, who drives me crazy all the time, but my world would never be the same without him. He's only 37 years old and deserves to spend his life with me."

On Monday, a vigil was held on the lawn of the Averett Student Center for Hanbury. Franks wrote, "As we grieve as a family, we invite the campus and surrounding area to join us in prayer and support."

Hanbury's sudden passing not only brought profound grief to his family, friends, and the Averett University community, but also generated widespread concern and mourning in the academic community.