Two college students were discovered dead inside a parked vehicle on the campus of Franciscan University of Steubenville on Monday afternoon, according to local law enforcement officials.
Luke Reimer, 20, of Indian Shores, Florida, and Mary Mich, 20, of Downingtown, Pennsylvania, were found in a vehicle located in the rear parking lot of St. Agnes Residence Hall shortly after 12:30 p.m. Steubenville Police Chief Kenneth Anderson confirmed that officers responded to the scene following the discovery.
The university’s president, Reverend Dave Pivonka, issued a statement expressing the institution’s grief over the tragic loss. The statement conveyed the profound impact these deaths have had on the campus community.
“This news brings profound sorrow to our entire Franciscan University community,” Pivonka stated. “We grieve the loss of two young lives, and our hearts ache for their families, friends, classmates, professors, and all who knew and loved them. Please know that we are holding Luke and Mary, and all who mourn them, close in prayer, asking the Lord for comfort, mercy, and peace.”
Police later determined that the deaths were accidental, resulting from carbon monoxide poisoning. The investigation revealed no signs of foul play, though the circumstances that led to the carbon monoxide exposure remain under review.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the small Catholic university community in Steubenville, Ohio, where students and faculty are grappling with the sudden loss of two young members of their academic family.
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can prove fatal when inhaled in enclosed spaces. The gas is produced by burning fuel in vehicles, stoves, lanterns, and other combustion engines. When individuals are exposed to high levels in confined areas, the gas prevents oxygen from reaching vital organs and tissues, leading to unconsciousness and death.
University officials have not released additional details about the specific circumstances surrounding how the students came to be exposed to the deadly gas. The institution has made counseling services available to students and staff members affected by the tragedy.
The deaths serve as a somber reminder of the dangers posed by carbon monoxide exposure, particularly in vehicles left running in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces. Safety experts consistently warn against running vehicles in garages or other confined areas where the gas can accumulate to lethal levels.
As the Franciscan University community mourns, the families of both students are receiving support from university officials and local authorities as they navigate this devastating loss.
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