A body that children found partially buried in snow Sunday in Fort Collins has been identified as that of a sociology professor missing for almost a month.
The Larimer County coroner identified the body as that of Patricia Wilkins-Wells, 59, of Fort Collins. She was a full-time professor at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley and taught online classes for Colorado State University in Fort Collins.
Her husband – John Wilkins-Wells, a sociology professor at CSU – told police he had last heard from his wife on Dec. 31, when she called to say she was walking home from the Foothills Unitarian Church, which she attended. He reported her missing on Jan. 2.
Four children found her body Sunday morning while playing in the snow next to the church. Police said the body appeared to have been there for quite some time.
There were no obvious signs of foul play and the Larimer County coroner will perform an autopsy today
Patricia Wilkins-Wells’ body was found fully clothed and partially buried in the snow, which was nearly 3 feet deep. She was identified by fingerprints.
A spokesman for UNC said Patricia Wilkins-Wells had taught there since 1992. She taught three undergraduate classes and one graduate class, all in sociology.
She was in the process of co-writing a book on student preparedness.
Her husband had been teaching her classes this month while she was missing, said spokesman Nate Haas.
Wilkins-Wells received her undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Colorado at Denver and a doctorate in sociology from CSU.
Her family declined to comment. Co-workers described her as popular and well-respected.
“She was incredibly conscientious,” said fellow sociology professor Melanie Moore. “She was very sweet. The students loved her.”
Staff writer Mike McPhee can be reached at 303-954-1409 or mmcphee@denverpost.com.
