A third-year student at Rice University in Houston was found dead next to a male visitor in her dorm room on Monday in what campus police and university officials said was an apparent murder-suicide.
Andrea Rodriguez Avila of Maryland was found shot to death in her room at Jones College by university police around 4:30 p.m. after a concerned family member reported she had missed class on Monday, university police Chief Clemente Rodriguez said at a news conference.
Rodriguez said campus police checked her dorm room after her family called and found her body along with that of an unidentified man who apparently died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Police believe the man shot her and then himself. Rodriguez said they are still investigating the extent of the relationship between him and Avila. The police chief noted there were no signs of a forced entry and that the man appeared to have entered the dorm as Avila’s guest, as he was not affiliated with the school.
Rodriguez said police found a note from the man at the scene indicating that he and Avila had a “troubled” relationship.
After the bodies were discovered, the university issued a warning to students to stay home. The warning has since been lifted, but classes were still not in session Tuesday afternoon.
Raquel Natalicchio/Houston Chronicle via Associated Press
A university spokesperson told HuffPost in an email that Aliva’s family arrived in Houston on Tuesday morning and is receiving support from university officials.
Aliva transferred to Rice in the spring from the Community College of Baltimore County, the spokesman said. She studied political science and law.
Rice University President Reginald DesRoches said in a statement: “I want our students, parents and the Rice community to know that the Rice campus is safe, there is no immediate threat and we will embrace our students tonight.”
If you or someone you know needs help, call, text, or chat 988 for mental health support at 988lifeline.org. Additionally, find local mental health and crisis resources at dontcallthepolice.com. Outside the U.S., please visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention.
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