May 3, 2010

To the University community:

We have learned this morning about the death of a University student, apparently late Sunday night or early this morning, in an apartment on 14th Street. Statements from University Police Chief Michael Gibson and the Charlottesville Police Department appear below.

Although we know no details of the police investigation of this death, we note with concern that the Charlottesville Police Department is treating the case as a homicide investigation. In Chief Gibson's statement, you will find general advice on personal safety and specific instructions on how to reach the police quickly if you find yourself in danger and if you believe that someone else may be in danger.

Obviously, we take the death of any student very seriously, and we support the police investigation into the causes of this death. Please read Chief Gibson's and the Charlottesville Police Department's statements carefully and completely, and cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation. If you have information that may be relevant to the investigation, follow the Charlottesville Police Department's advice: call Charlottesville Police Sergeant Mark Brake at 970-3970 or Crime Stoppers at 977-4000.

John Casteen

Read more from the Charlottesville Police Department statement.