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Franklin police resume search for missing 20-year-old man

FRANKLIN, Mass. — Police in Franklin have resumed their search for a 20-year-old man reported missing after he failed to return home following a house party early Sunday morning.

Michael Doherty was last seen at a party on Phyllis Lane.

Police said they received a call from his parents around 1:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon, saying their son never returned home from the previous night. Investigators began a search and asked residents in the area to check their backyards, sheds and other detached buildings.

MORE: 20-year-old man missing from Franklin neighborhood

Doherty is described as a white male who is 5 feet 10 inches tall with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a blue T-shirt with a Nike symbol, black pants and sneakers.

Police said they found an article of clothing, possibly belonging to Doherty, near the marsh. A section of Oak Street was shut down Sunday as crews began to search the water around Mine Brook.

Doherty is a graduate of Xaverian High School and is now a student at Duke University. A college friend told Boston 25 News that the president of the fraternity Doherty is a member of will be heading to Franklin.

Boston 25 reached out to Duke University and they released a statement saying, "The University is quite aware of the report and will assist as required by authorities. Our thoughts are with Michael and his family for a quick and positive outcome."

Massachusetts State Police were able to use a helicopter early Monday morning to help search from the air while crews continued searching on the ground.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call police.