2nd Student Death At Rutgers In Less Than A Week

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ — Yet another Rutgers student has died on campus, making it the second Rutgers student who has died in less than a week. Neither student death is being considered suspicious, a university spokesman said.

Rutgers University police were called to Hardenbergh Hall, a dormitory on the College Avenue campus that overlooks the Raritan River, on Monday. There, they found the body of student Kyle Gotchel outside the dorm, a school spokesman said. The dormitory, pictured above, is seven stories tall, but it is not immediately clear at this time if Gotchel had fallen from his second-story dorm room.

"This tragic incident remains under investigation, but foul play is not suspected," said Rutgers spokesman Neal Buccino. "The university extends its sincerest condolences to Kyle’s family and friends."

This is the second student death at Rutgers in four days: On Friday, May 4, Akash Taneja, a graduate student enrolled in the school's department of medicinal chemistry, was found dead early Friday morning.

As Patch reported, his body was also found outdoors, discovered early Friday morning on the Busch Campus.

"The grieving process is always difficult, particularly when we lose a young person of great talent and potential," Rutgers said in an email about Taneja's death Friday. "Our counselors are available to any student seeking grief or general support."

Gotchel was a 2016 graduate of West Deptford High School. NJ.com reported Gotchel was a sophomore business major. There is a lobby level, and Gotchel's dorm room was on the third floor, NJ.com also reported.

Rutgers students can contact CAPS (Counseling, Alcohol and Other Drug Assistance Program & Psychiatric Services) at 848-932-7884 or visit the center at 17 Senior Street in New Brunswick.

Also, students can seek support through "Let's Talk" drop-in hours offering free and confidential consultation sessions every day across a number of campus locations (for details visit http://rhscaps.rutgers.edu/dropin/).
Students may also reach out to the following resources for support:

• Dean of Students Office: 848-932-2300
• Multifaith Council: 848-932-5500
• Crisis Text Line: Text KNIGHTS to 741-741, anytime 24/7
• NJ Hopeline: 1-855-654-6735

Pictured: The exterior of Hardenbergh Hall via Google Earth.