Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) has faced several tragic incidents involving student deaths over the past decade, prompting investigations and raising concerns about student well-being and campus safety.
In April 2014, 21-year-old VCU student Kelechi Kingsley Uchella died by suicide. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia ruled his death as a suicide by hanging. Uchella was from Springfield, Virginia, and graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 2011, where he played forward on the varsity soccer team.
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In September 2016, 18-year-old VCU freshman Jordan Bowman fell to her death from the 13th floor of the Towers on Franklin apartment building in Richmond. Friends described her as a fun-loving person with much potential.
The following month, in October 2016, another VCU student, 19-year-old Emma K. Pascal from Fairfax County, died after falling from a 17th-floor apartment window at the same building. Pascal was a first-year Arts Foundation student. VCU expressed deep sorrow over her passing and offered condolences to her family and friends.
More recently, in February 2021, 19-year-old VCU freshman Adam Oakes died from alcohol poisoning during a fraternity hazing incident. Oakes had accepted a bid to the Delta Chi fraternity and was told to drink a large bottle of whiskey. He was found dead the next morning. VCU expelled Delta Chi in June 2021. citeturn0search6 In September 2022, VCU reached a settlement with Oakes’ family, agreeing to pay nearly $1 million and implement changes to its fraternity and sorority life to prevent future tragedies.
These incidents have led to increased scrutiny of campus safety measures and the mental health resources available to students. VCU offers crisis support through University Counseling Services, providing 24/7 access to counselors for students experiencing mental health emergencies. Students can speak with a crisis counselor by calling 804-828-6200 or utilizing virtual care services like TimelyCare.
