The body of a murdered man found in an Acton Dumpster late last month was that of a former William S. Hart Union High School District student, an official said today.

Joshua D. Thomas, who was 18 when he was stabbed and set on fire March 28 in Acton, became a Sierra Vista Junior High School student halfway through his seventh-grade year but transferred out of the Hart district during his eight-grade year, district spokeswoman Gail Pinsker said.

Thomas' body was found smoldering in a Dumpster off the side of Sierra Highway.

He died of stab wounds, and the investigation into his death is ongoing, coroner's officials have said.