Officials are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a college student in New Zealand, whose dead body wasn’t discovered until almost eight weeks after he had died.
Referred to as horrific by Education Minister Chris Hipkins, and “inconceivable” by the University of Canterbury Vice-Chancellor Cheryl de la Rey, the incident has police searching for answers as to what precisely happened.
Few details have been provided by authorities following the discovery of the student’s body Monday night at the University’s Sonoda dormitory in Christchurch, reported USA Today.
According to the New Zealand news website named “Stuff” , the student’s body had gone unnoticed for almost two months, until students reported an odor coming from the room.
During the almost eight-week period, the student’s stepfather had allegedly reached out to friends and police, concerned about his son’s disappearance.
In a statement on the University’s website, de la Rey said, “We are devastated by what has happened and extend our deepest sympathy to the family. This is an extremely distressing time for University students and staff. The University of Canterbury is doing everything it can to support the Police investigation into the tragic death of a New Zealand student in the Sonoda student accommodation.”
“Despite the comprehensive pastoral care programs in place, for us, it is inconceivable to imagine how these circumstances could have occurred. We understand that the matter is now with the Coroner and we are respectful of the family’s wishes at this time not to comment further.
“The University will commission an independent, comprehensive investigation to identify how this situation could have occurred and what actions need to be taken.
“Support has been put in place for students within the Sonoda residence, and additional support is being offered to students in all other student residences and halls, as well as across the broader UC community. UC’s trained professional student care advisors and Campus Living Villages’ (CLV) pastoral care team are on-site and available to support students and staff.”
One student at the University mentioned she had concerns regarding how students were looked after by staff, claiming most of the communication is done through a Facebook page.
“We have no idea who is running this place, there is an overwhelming lack of presence from adult staff in this hall,” she said.
“If a student was in crisis, the hall of residence would have no idea … we could disappear for weeks, and it would go unnoticed by staff here.”
She went on to say it was “shocking” to learn that it took so long for the student’s dead body to be found, “but when thinking about what procedures CLV has put in place to make sure their residents are all right, I can see how it was able to happen.”
Police are still seeking information about the incident, and have not yet named the student or the cause of death.
