University of Missouri student found dead in dorm identified as Erik Severson
University of Missouri police have identified the student found dead in his dorm room this week Erik Severson, a freshman from Aurora, Illinois.
Severson, 18, was found unresponsive and police were dispatched to the Mizzou dorm, Excellence Hall about 4 p.m. on Wednesday.
Severson was pronounced dead at the scene by medical personnel.
The university said no foul play was suspected in the death.
University spokesman Christian Basi said that “We have not yet heard the determination of cause of death” and confirmed that the cause of death will be determined by the Boone County Medical Examiner.
On Thursday, a GoFundMe account was launched by Carolyn Lovelace, whose son and daughter are MU students on the Columbia campus.
Lovelace said she and Severson’s mother belong to a private Facebook group for parents of students set to graduate in 2023.
“As a parent, I can’t even imagine something like this,” Lovelace said. “It’s just an unbelievable situation and you just want to help the family any way you can.”
On Friday, the account had raised $1,820 of its $5,000 goal.
The university is offering grief counseling in the wake of the student’s death, and counselors met with students on Thursday.
“While we don’t know what caused this death, we are devastated by the loss and know this sad event will impact many here on campus,” wrote Vice Provost for Student Affairs Bill Stackman in an email to students.
Students can contact the Counseling Center directly, and 24-hour crisis and consultation support is available at 573-882-6601.