Boulder – A University of Colorado student was found dead in his dormitory room on the Boulder campus Sunday afternoon.
The sophomore was found by his roommate, said school spokeswoman Jeannine Malmsbury.
Lt. John Kish of the campus police said a call came in from the 18-year-old’s roommate that he was not breathing and was unresponsive. Officers attempted to save the young man, but they were unable to revive him.
His name was not released pending notification of his family, but word spread quickly among those who knew him.
“Rest in peace my friend. We all miss and love you,” freshman Addison Brewster posted on the dead student’s Web profile about 7:30 p.m.
Brewster lived a few doors down from the student on the second floor of Willard Hall and said he hung out with him a lot throughout the year.
He “was a really good guy,” Brewster told a reporter. “He didn’t have an enemy in the world. He was an awesome guy.”
The dead student’s posting about himself said he graduated from Bear Creek High School and lived in Lakewood. He was studying civil engineering and business administration.
Other students who knew the student speculated that his death may be alcohol-related, but CU police said an early investigation didn’t indicate alcohol was involved.
“That’s news to us,” Lt. Tim McGraw said. “That’s not to say that it isn’t possible, but that’s not coming from us.
“We just don’t know.”
Excessive drinking is a “symptom” of college life, he said.
Austin Krier, 18, a freshman from Denver, lived on the same floor as the student, although Krier didn’t know him well because they lived on opposite sides of the floor.
Krier said Sunday that when students die on campus, he worries about the role of alcohol.
“It’s sad, but this kind of thing is bound to happen,” Krier said. “Kids get out of control.”
McGraw said there were no obvious signs of trauma to the student’s body, and the cause of death will be determined by the coroner.
Police don’t believe that another person caused the death, and others on campus have no reason to fear for their safety, McGraw said.
Sunday night, the student’s dorm room remained sealed and arrangements were made for his roommate to sleep elsewhere. Counselors from CU were on site.
Almost 30 students gathered outside Willard Hall on Sunday evening as police carried out bags filled with potential evidence.
When officers brought out the student’s body on a stretcher at 6:22 p.m., about 20 students gathered on either side of the van parked in front of the residence hall doors.
The students formed a barrier to prevent media from taking pictures or shooting video.
One young man said, “Take off your hats.”
As the van drove away, several students hugged and cried, and others whispered.
They began returning to their rooms, and almost all had dazed looks on their faces.
Staff writer Jim Kirksey can be reached at 303-820-1448 or jkirksey@denverpost.com.
