BOSTON (CBS) – A Boston University PhD student who was working on an archaeological dig in western Turkey was killed Thursday morning in an apparent fall.

The school reported that Chad DiGregorio, 26, of Upton, had gone out alone on his day off to look for artifacts.

DiGregorio’s colleagues called police when he didn’t return.

According to the school, they managed to hack into his personal computer and find the GPS location of his cell phone.

A search party used that information to find his body.

Jean Morrison, the University’s provost and chief academic officer, said the death of the young scholar was heartbreaking. “We are all deeply saddened by the loss of Chad DiGregorio in this tragic accident,” she said. “His family is first and foremost in our thoughts.”