evelyn holmes with our affiliate wls in chicago went to the university and talked with shocked students who knew this young man. reporter: a moment of silence as a school community mourns the death of fellow student, nicholas barnes. nick, you might not have known him, but we believe god knows him and he cares for him. he cares for his family and friends. reporter: police found the decomposing body of the university college student in his campus dorm room after others noticed a strange odor in the hallway and alerted authorities. when i was going to my friend s room, i smelled this foul smell. reporter: the 20-year-old was found facedown of his room where he lived alone at the school s international house residence ha hall. i don t understand how the people that lived next door and like, people that are responsible for his well-being, could have not seen that he s been gone for a week. it s uncomfortable, yeah.