UConn Student Found Dead In Mirror Lake

STORRS, CT — A University of Connecticut student was found dead in Mirror Lake on campus Monday, authorities said. The student was identified as Tianyan Shang, a junior majoring in applied mathematics. Foul play was not suspected.

Shang was found in a shallow area of the lake and transported to Windham Hospital, where she was pronounced dead, school officials said. She was a member of the equestrian team and a second-year student who was a junior by virtue of number of credits earned.

The cause and manner of her death will be determined by the Connecticut Chief Medical Examiner’s Office.

Mirror Lake borders Route 195 and is located across from Arjona Hall.

UConn President Tom Katsouleas sent this message to the UConn community Tuesday:

"Dear Students,

"Over the course of the last several hours, our community has learned about a tragic incident on the Storrs campus. UConn student Tianyin Shang was discovered yesterday in the area of Mirror Lake by UConn Police. Her condition was grave and despite every effort to revive her, she did not survive and was pronounced dead at Windham Hospital on Monday afternoon.

"A loss in our community like this is impossible to comprehend. Last night, my colleagues and I spent time with her friends and we will continue to reach out to those who knew Tianyin best. I have learned that Tianyin, or Skyine as she was known to her friends, was proud of her Chinese heritage, excelled in math, was a friend to many in her residential community, and a rising star on the UConn Western Equestrian Team.

"She is deeply missed, and many are struggling to understand her death. During the course of the next few days, we will remember, we will grieve and we will seek to cherish her contributions to our lives. The University has been in contact with her family and will provide all our support during this difficult time.

"Her loss touches all of us in different ways. Our grief for Tianyin’s loss – no matter how well we knew her -- will impact us in a myriad of ways. Please know that the University is here for you."