Student found dead near campus

A female University student was found dead in her home on the 4000 block of Sansom Street slightly after 8 p.m. yesterday evening.

Both Penn Police and Philadelphia Police officials have said the investigation into the student's death is an open one, and they are waiting for the Philadelphia Medical Examiner to determine the cause of death.

"There is nothing suspicious here as far as we are concerned," said the detective from Philadelphia Police assigned to the case. "It is being carried as a sudden death and an apparent suicide."

Neither University officials nor the Philadelphia Police were releasing the student's name at the time this edition went to press.

Vice President for Public Safety Maureen Rush also said the investigation is open, and that there is a possibility of suicide.

Rush added that at this time, this incident represents no public safety threat to the Penn community.

A joint investigation is currently being conducted by both University Police and Philadelphia Police's Southwest Detective's Unit.

The Philadelphia Police detective said there was no sign of a struggle or forced entry into the victim's room. The possibility of rape has also been ruled out, according to the Philadelphia Police detective.

According to Rush, Penn Police were called to the victim's residence slightly after 8 p.m. to check on the well-being of a female Penn student.

When police arrived in the student's room, it was immediately clear that the student was deceased.

The student's family was notified early this morning.

"The Office of the Vice Provost for University Life is working directly with friends, family and the school to provide support through these difficult times," Vice Provost for University Life Valerie Swain-Cade McCoullum said.

"Our hearts go out to the family in this time of need," she added.

For community members in need of emotional support, McCoullum noted that Counseling and Psychological Services, the Reach-A-Peer line and Student Health Services are all available to help.

Last night's incident marks the fifth student death this academic year and the second to occur close to campus.

On Jan. 1, Wharton junior Yash Kasbekar was killed in a car accident while traveling with friends in in his home town.

On Dec. 5, 2001, College junior Abraham Huang died in a motorcycle accident on the Schuylkill expressway. Huang's motorcycle was the only vehicle involved in the accident.

On Nov. 18, the body of Engineering graduate student Anirban Majumdar, 25, was pulled from the Schuylkill River near West River Drive and the Spring Garden Bridge after a two-week search for the missing native of Calcutta, India.

Majumdar had last been seen by his roommates on Nov. 2, the night of his birthday. The cause of Majumdar's death remains a mystery, with officials deeming it as either an accident or a suicide.

And on Oct. 26, Wharton junior Jose Joseph fell over eight floors to his death from his room in Hamilton College House in what officials concluded was a suicide.

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