USC Acknowledges Spate Of Student Deaths

LOS ANGELES, CA — Suffering a spate of tragedies, the USC Community is mourning the ninth death of a student this semester. It's unusual for the school to experience the loss of so many students — there have been more student deaths this semester than in the previous two years combined.

The university took the unusual step of addressing the tragedies in a letter to to USC students, parents and faculty over the weekend. University President Carol Folt acknowledged that eight students died since the fall semester began in the last week of August, two from unknown causes. Then on Monday, a ninth USC student was found dead at The Dunes apartment complex in University Park, according to CBS2.

Foul play was not suspected in this week's incident, the death of a 28-year-old man found Monday afternoon in the 1200 block of West 29th Street, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. There may not be an explanation for the unusual number of death, which varied in nature. One or more of the students died by suicide, according to the university.

One of the students who died this semester was freshman Matthew Olson of Newport Beach, who was killed while walking on the 110 Freeway early on Aug. 26.

According to the Daily Trojan newspaper, there were six student deaths during each of the last two academic years. Twelve students passed away during the 2016-17 academic year and four during the 2015-16 academic year, the newspaper reported.

Folt, in her letter, said the losses are devastating and heartbreaking for the school. She said that it is "not correct" that most of the deaths were the result of suicide.

"These tragic losses have resulted from a number of different causes. In some cases the cause of death is still undetermined, and in others loved ones do not want details disclosed," Folt said in her letter.

Speculation over the deaths has been rampant on the campus.

"I'm glad the university recognized it and is kind of bringing this issue to light," one student said.

USC senior Nicole Ricken says the recent deaths have really hit close to home.

"I've been acquaintances with at least four of the students who passed away," Ricken said. "One of them was one of my closest friends."

Students in need of immediate help were encouraged to call USC's 24- hour wellness line at (213) 740-WELL (9355). Anyone concerned about a friend or fellow student can communicate their concern through Trojans Care For Trojans.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.