An unidentified student was found dead outside of Agnes Arnold Hall early Wednesday morning, according to UHPD Capt. Bret Collier. There is no indication of foul play, according to police.
What happened?
Collier said the student was found lying on the ground near the entrance of the building around 6 a.m. by a staff member who was arriving for work. The staff member called 911 and UHPD officers arrived shortly after.
The student was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. Collier said the student had no visible signs of injury or trauma and there was no evidence of a struggle or a weapon.
The student’s identity has not been released pending notification of next of kin. Collier said the student was a male in his early 20s and was enrolled in classes at UH.
How did the student die?
Collier said the cause and manner of death are still under investigation by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences. He said an autopsy will be performed to determine if the student had any medical conditions or substances in his system that could have contributed to his death.
Collier said there is no indication of foul play or an ongoing threat to the campus community. He said the incident appears to be isolated and there are no suspects or persons of interest at this time.
“We have no reason to believe that this was anything other than a tragic accident or a natural death,” Collier said.
How did the campus react?
The university issued a statement on Wednesday morning expressing condolences to the student’s family and friends and offering support services to the campus community.
“During difficult times, we ask members of the UH community to support each other,” Interim Vice President for Student Affairs Daniel Maxwell said in the statement. “We encourage anyone who needs assistance to reach out to the resources available on campus.”
The statement also said that all classes and activities at Agnes Arnold Hall were canceled for the day and that the building was closed for further investigation.
Agnes Arnold Hall is a general purpose classroom building that houses several academic departments, including history, political science, sociology and anthropology.
Some students and faculty who had classes or offices in the building said they were shocked and saddened by the news.
“It’s very upsetting and scary to hear that something like this happened on campus,” said junior history major Jessica Nguyen, who had a class in Agnes Arnold Hall on Wednesday morning. “I hope they find out what happened and that the student’s family gets some closure.”
“I’m very sorry for the loss of this young man and his loved ones,” said associate professor of political science David Smith, who has an office in Agnes Arnold Hall. “This is a tragic reminder that life is precious and we should cherish every moment.”
Where to get help?
The university said that counseling and psychological services are available for students, faculty and staff who need support or assistance. The Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) office is located in the Student Service Center 1, Room 226, and can be reached at 713-743-5454.
The university also said that the Dean of Students office is available to assist students with any academic or personal concerns. The Dean of Students office is located in the Student Center North, Room 252, and can be reached at 713-743-5470.
The university urged anyone with information about the incident to contact UHPD at 713-743-3333 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
