NYU Fails to Inform Campus About Tragic Student Deaths
Two New York University students died on campus two days apart earlier this month. The university’s administration has not made an official announcement to the student body regarding the deaths.
Jacqueline Beauzile, 19, was found unconscious in her Lipton Hall dorm room on February 8. Emergency medical services were unable to resuscitate the body and pronounced her dead at the scene.
An email sent to Lipton Hall residents the same day confirmed that a student had been declared dead in the residence. The email, sent by NYU Dean of Students and Associate Vice President, Rafael Rodriguez, Executive Director of Residential Life, Kate Baie, and, Lipton Residence Hall Director, Alyssa Klinger, said that there was no evidence of suicide. The email added that although the cause of death was not yet clear, there was no ongoing danger to the residents.
“We know how shocking and sad such news is in a tight-knit community such as our. We are in contact with the student’s roommates and known friends and are providing services and support.”
Lipton Hall’s staff declined to make any further comment regarding the student’s death.
Two days later, Doreah Salti, 18, was found outside the Barney Building on Stuyvesant Street, after falling from a fifth-floor window. She was later declared dead at Bellevue Hospital.
NYPD and FDNY respond to the incident outside the Barney Building (Peter Gerber of the New York Post)
NYU has failed to send an email about the incident or confirm Salti’s enrollment with the university.
A social media post from the victim’s mother, Maria Lufti Salti, honored Salti’s high school graduation and implied that she did attend the university.
According to the New York Post, police reported that Salti’s death appeared to be a suicide. A family member of Salti disagreed, citing the pending investigation by the city medical examiner.
Another article from the Post claimed that both detectives and the medical examiner were unable to enter the building to investigate.
Campus security did not confirm or deny the incident and declined to comment on any pending investigations. University spokesman John Beckman did not respond to a request for comment.
Beauzile’s loved ones will host a service at St. Martha's Church in Uniondal e on Saturday, February 24. Later that day, she will be laid to rest at the Queen of Peace Cemetery.
It has been reported that Beauzile was a graduate of Academy Charter School in Hempstead, Long Island, which boasted one of the highest graduation rates for any high school in New York State in 2023. According to that same article, Beauzile had been dealing with the death of her mother, who passed away in October 2022.
Salti was laid to rest on February 17 at the St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Cicero, Illinois. In a Facebook post from the church, mourners were urged to donate to the Hinsdale Central High School Art Department in her memory.
Salti was a member of the 2020-2021 National Art Honor Society according to a post from Hinsdale Central High School. She was also a member of We Care Hinsdale, a student organization dedicated to spreading mental health awareness for teenagers in the wake of the pandemic.
As of February 23, there have been no further announcements to the student body by the university administration.
This is a developing story.