Student Dies in 114th St. Brownstone

A Columbia student was found dead in a brownstone on 114th Street late yesterday evening. The circumstances of the death have not yet been made public, but there is no suspicion of foul play, University officials said.

Police were called to the Pi Kappa Alpha (PIKA) house around 9:30 p.m. after Columbia Security discovered the student in his room on the fourth floor of the fraternity's house. The student was taken to St. Luke's hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival, police said.

The cause and circumstances of the student's death have not been determined. According to police, the body has been turned over to the medical examiner for an autopsy. The coroner's findings will determine what course of action police will take.

The student was not a member of the fraternity but had been placed into a vacant room in the brownstone by the University three to four weeks into the semester, according to sources familiar with the situation. They went on to say that none of the brothers knew the student before he moved in, and that the student remained uninvolved in the organization.

As police arrived, University officials also came to the PIKA house to offer assistance. Dean of Student Affairs Chris Columbo said the brothers were "shaken, but holding up well. PIKA is a very supportive community."

After the initial investigation, police decided not to treat the room as a crime scene. PIKA brothers were free to spend the night in the house, Columbo said.

The University would not release the student's name because the family had not yet been contacted at press time. PIKA leaders made no official statement on the situation.

This is the fifth student death this calendar year. The University has not yet made plans for a memorial service.

In response to the death, Columbia Counseling and Psychological Services is offering special walk-in hours tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Lerner Hall. The Class Centers and the University Chaplain will also be available to students.

Spectator News Editor Alex Eule contributed to this report.