His name is already off the lease. The only thing here of his are his things. I'm confident the school won't release any info. As we've all signed extensive documents asking if we even want our names mentioned within a UCLA search database.
As for the storage unit idea... it's too much hassle and effort. Hundreds of pounds worth of books, clothing etc. We don't have time to handle this especially during the middle of the quarter. I would much rather leave his stuff as is, but if I speak with both the landlord/owner of this complex and the leaser holder of this apartment, i'll make sure to cover my ass by having them sign papers saying at their discretion that we can throw or keep this guy's stuff. Perhaps because i'm living here within this guy's stuff that I feel it's his fault for not having dealt with this before hand, or at the very least communicating with us that he would be somewhere out and about for months on end.
Differently however, if something did happen to him then obviously all of these items will and should go to his family.
So keep his stuff.
It sounds like you don't really want advice - you just want everyone make you feel better and tell you it's cool to keep everything.