Elgin Stafford found dead in Carson, Calif.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that a body found Thursday floating in the Dominguez Channel in Carson, Calif., is that of 23-year-old Elgin Stafford, a former USC graduate student who went missing from his home in Carson on March 20.

As of Sunday, the cause of death had not been determined. The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office is waiting on lab results that could take six to eight weeks to process.

According to the Daily Breeze, Stafford’s body was spotted in the channel area between Avalon Boulevard and 213th Street in Carson.

Stafford enrolled in the graduate program for public diplomacy at the Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism in fall 2011 before withdrawing in January. He received his undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley.

The Sheriff’s Department said Stafford had exhibited erratic behavior before his disappearance.

Michael L. Jackson, vice president for student affairs, said the university expresses its condolences to Stafford’s friends and family.

“We are very sad to learn about the death of Elgin Stafford,” Jackson said. “He was an important member of the Trojan Family and our hearts and prayers go out to his family. Every student is very precious to us and has great potential. We are sorry that Elgin’s life journey has ended in such a tragic way. We will do our best to support his family, friends and the Annenberg school community during this difficult period.”