KALAMAZOO, Mich. (March 20, 2014) — Officials at Western Michigan University have confirmed that a 19-year-old student passed away early Thursday morning.
That student has been identified by the university as Alyssa Olafson, a freshman from Allendale who was a pre-health and human services major.
The situation developed at the Valley 2 Eicher/LeFevre Hall, where there was a large police and medical presence overnight. Cheryl Roland, the Executive Director of University Relations, says emergency responders were unsuccessful in reviving a female student.
“The freshman student was found unresponsive in her fifth-floor Eichre [sic] Hall suite,” says Roland. “An autopsy is scheduled for today in Lansing.”
There is no indication that drugs or alcohol were involved. Investigators say a pre-existing medical condition may have played a role in the death.
The University has counselors on the scene to work with students and hall personnel who are dealing with the loss. The student’s family has been notified. The WMU Department of Public Safety is handling the investigation. Additional information will be released later Thursday.
