Monday, May 3, 2010 (1:33 p.m.)
Earlier today, we released a statement about a Charlottesville Police investigation of an apparent homicide in which the victim is a University of Virginia student. A just-released update of an earlier Charlottesville Police statement about this investigation identifies the victim as Yeardley Love, a fourth-year student from Cockeysville, Maryland, and a Varsity lacrosse player. The updated Charlottesville Police Department statement appears just below this one along with advice to students from University Police Chief Michael Gibson. The Charlottesville Police statement also discloses that George Huguely, a fourth-year student from Chevy Chase, Maryland, and a Varsity men's lacrosse player, has been charged with First Degree Murder, and is in custody at the Charlottesville/Albemarle jail. We urge all students and faculty/staff to read both of the following statements with care.
Although we know nothing other than what appears in the Charlottesville Police Department's more recent statement, this death moves us to deep anguish for the loss of a student of uncommon talent and promise, and we express the University's and our own sympathy for Yeardley's family, team-mates, and friends. That she appears now to have been murdered by another student compounds this sense of loss by suggesting that Yeardley died without comfort or consolation from those closest to her. We mourn her death and feel anger on reading that the investigators believe that another student caused it. Like students who have contacted us in the last few minutes, we know no explanation of what appears now to have happened.
Police investigators and the courts will eventually determine what happened and make judgments on the basis of evidence submitted by the police and the Commonwealth's Attorney. Meantime, along with all in the University and family members and friends elsewhere, we grieve and ache for this loss. It is easy to imagine that professional counseling services may prove useful to any number of students as we try to assimilate this information. If you wish to meet with a counselor or one of the deans, call the office of the dean of students at 924-7133, and if you believe that a friend or acquaintance needs support and is not asking for it, call the same number, and explain what you have seen. Don't hesitate to call. Don't feel embarrassment about calling. Don't keep quiet about a grieving friend who seems to need assistance but to be unable to request it.
And let us all acknowledge that, however little we may not know now about Yeardley Love's death, we do know that she did not have or deserve to die--that she deserved the bright future she earned growing up, studying here, and developing her talents as a lacrosse player. She deserves to be remembered for her human goodness, her capacity for future greatness, and not for the terrible way in which her young life has ended.
John Casteen
A Statement from the Charlottesville Police Department
Monday, May 3, 2010 (1:33 p.m.)
University Student Found Deceased (Update)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA – Regarding the death of a University of Virginia student occurring at a 14th ST N.W. apartment, the victim has since been identified as 22 year old, Yeardley Love. Ms. Love was a fourth year University of Virginia Student from Cockeysville, Maryland who played on the Women’s Lacrosse Team.
Preliminary investigation by detectives revealed that Ms. Love is the victim of an apparent homicide. She suffered visible physical trauma, however the specific cause of death is undetermined pending an autopsy.
George Huguely, a senior at the University of Virginia from Chevy Chase MD who plays for the UVA Men’s lacrosse team, has been charged with First Degree Murder and is in custody at the Charlottesville/Albemarle jail.
According to witnesses, Huguely and Love had a past relationship.
Charlottesville Police are continuing to investigate the case and will provide more details as they become available.
Anyone with additional information about this incident is asked to call Charlottesville Police Sergeant Mark Brake at 970-3970 or Crime Stoppers at 977-4000.
A Message from Mike Gibson, Chief of Police
Monday, May 3, 2010 (9:18 a.m.)
This email is to alert the community that the Charlottesville Police Department is conducting an investigation on the suspicious death of one of our students in a private residence in the 14th Street area. While very few details are available at this time we would encourage the community to visit the UVA Homepage for updated information.
While Charlottesville remains a relatively safe environment, crimes do occur in our community. The best defense is to be prepared and to take responsibility for your own safety and for that of your friends and fellow students. A few key reminders:
*Trust your instincts about a person or situation. If you feel uncomfortable, immediately report your concerns to police by calling 911.
*If you are on the Grounds and need help, pick up one of the blue-light telephones. You will be immediately connected to University Police. Be aware of your surroundings. Do not let a cell phone conversation or listening to music distract you when crossing the street or in any type of situation that calls for your full attention.
*Avoid isolated areas and walking alone at night. Use SafeRide (434-242-1122), walk with friends, or take a late-night weekend bus.
*Keep your doors and windows locked.
*Never allow strangers to follow you into a locked building and gain entry by “tailgating” you once you swipe the card reader in a residence hall. Also, never prop open card-reader doors.
*If you see any of the following, immediately call the police at 911: a prowler, someone peeping into a residence, an individual watching, photographing or filming an area, or any other suspicious behavior.
*Work with your neighbors and fellow community members to ensure a safe environment.
For additional safety tips from University Police, please see http://www.virginia.edu/uvapolice/prevention.html#Residence.
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