Mystery as Maine college student, 20, is found dead near campus parking lot - as staff pay tribute to 'a bright and engaging presence'

A Chinese exchange student was found dead in a Maine parking lot over the weekend.

Police found the remains of Bowdoin College student Qingyang Zhan, 20, in the lot near the Frank J. Woods Bridge in Topsham, about 30 minutes north of Portland, on Sunday morning.

Officials said they are investigating the death but don't believe there is a threat to the public. 

Zhan, known as 'K,' was originally from Shanghai, China, but had lived in the US since 2019, as reported by WMTW. 

She reportedly attended a school in California before staring her studies at Bowdoin in the fall of 2021. 

Bowdoin College President Safa Zaki said in a statement: 'Faculty members describe K as a bright and engaging presence, and many will remember her warmth and kindness.

'K’s death is a devastating tragedy for her parents, her brother, other loved ones, and also for her friends, classmates, and our entire Bowdoin community.

'This news is very difficult to process, especially since we do not yet know the circumstances of K’s death. Please take care of yourselves and of others and take advantage of the opportunities to come together.'

Zaki added that police have not revealed a cause of death for the student.

Zhan had been pursuing a double major in government and legal studies and Asian studies at the Maine school and helped found the Chinese Students Association.

DailyMail.com has reached out to the Topsham police department for more information on this story.