The youngest son of jailed former Enron CEO Jeffrey Skilling has been found dead in his college apartment.

John Taylor Skilling, who went by the nickname JT, was just 20 years old. He was a sophomore at Chapman University in Orange, California.

Mystery surrounds his death after authorities ruled out foul play or suicide, his father's attorney Daniel Petrocelli said.

The Orange County Coroner's office said the death is under investigation. Toxicology results will take four to six weeks.

A local TV station reported there was 'no obvious' cause of death.

Mr Petrocelli told CNBC that classmates became concerned when they had not seen JT for some time.

They broke into his off-campus Santa Ana apartment on Tuesday and found him dead. It was not clear when he had died.

His father is serving a 24-year sentence for his role in the Enron scandal after he was convicted on multiple charges of fraud, insider trading and conspiracy.

He is set to ask for a temporary release from prison to attend his son's funeral.