(Courtesy of the Allison Rhea Owens- Missing Facebook group)

Italian police say they have found the body of the missing SMU graduate in Tuscany Wednesday morning.

Police believe she was the victim of a hit-and-run driver.

News that Allison Owens (SMU Class of 2010) had gone missing went viral on Facebook and Twitter Tuesday, with over 2,000 people joining the Facebook group created to help find her.

According to the Associated Press, Carabinieri Col. Antonio Frassinetto told a news conference that the body of 23-year-old Allison Owens was found Wednesday in a canal beside a heavily trafficked road in San Giovanni Valdarno. He believes she may have been wearing an iPod and not heard the car coming.

She was last seen alive Sunday afternoon.

Owens was from Columbus, Ohio and worked a guide for a tour company in Italy. At SMU, she was a member of Tri Delta and the Public Relations Student Society of America.

“We are saddened this morning to learn about the loss of our friend and sister Ally Owens,” SMU Tri Delta President Kate Elpers said. “Ally was beautiful, smart, kind and full of life. She was a leader who brought so much joy to this chapter during her time with us. We feel truly blessed to have known her and will miss her tremendously. We ask that you join us in keeping the Owens family in your thoughts and prayers during this time.”

Owens’ brother is a sophomore at SMU. He flew home to Ohio immediately after hearing the news. 

“She just had the biggest smile and was sweetest and kindest person. She had the biggest heart in all of Texas,” Kyle Owens said. “She was my best friend and is a very special person.”