Editor’s Note: This story mentions death. The deceased student’s name is omitted from the article out of respect for their family, friends and privacy.
UPDATED: This story was updated at 9:55 p.m. CDT to include a 9:03 p.m. CDT Vanderbilt Student Affairs email to students conveying that an undergraduate student passed away in their campus residence.
UPDATED: This story was updated at 6:28 p.m. CDT to include information about the arrival of medical and forensic vehicles to the Branscomb courtyard and the subsequent transport of the body.
Metro Nashville Police Department received a call at 11:30 a.m. CDT on April 12 at 2401 Vanderbilt Place, the address of Branscomb Quadrangle, which they responded to as a “corpse/D.O.A.” incident.
Students walking past the area reported seeing several MNPD vehicles outside the building, and a detective wearing a homicide unit jacket was reportedly on scene. Officers could be seen heading to Scales Hall, and one student reported seeing a body bag on the third floor. The Hustler was not able to independently verify this claim.
As of publication at 2:30 p.m. CDT, no notification was sent to students about the incident, and the university did not immediately respond to The Hustler’s request for comment.
As of publication, there are still two MNPD vehicles and two Vanderbilt University Police Department vehicles outside Branscomb. Individuals are allowed to enter both the Branscomb lobby and the Munchie Mart.
Around 3:30 p.m. CDT, crime scene investigation vehicles, VUPD vehicles and a forensic medical examiner investigator car entered the Branscomb courtyard, according to a junior who was granted anonymity for protection from retribution for being on the scene.
Two medical transport vehicles arrived at the courtyard around 4 p.m. CDT, and a stretcher was taken inside Scales 15 minutes later. The body was placed in the vehicle at 4:49 p.m. CDT, and all vehicles left the courtyard by 5:05 p.m. CDT.
An email was sent out to students at 9:03 p.m. CDT by Vanderbilt Student Affairs and signed by Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Dean of Students G.L. Black, sharing that an undergraduate student passed away in their campus residence. Black also sent condolences to the student’s friends and family, remembered the student and expressed the need to rely on one another as the semester comes to an end.
“As we move into the final weeks of the academic year, this time may feel especially challenging. It’s important to both lean on one another and seek out professional support when needed. A simple check-in or kind word can go a long way in supporting those around you,” the email reads.
This piece will be updated as more information becomes available.
Editor’s Note: Experiencing grief when one loses a member of our community is a normal response to a very sad and difficult situation. The Student Care Network suggests that you ask for help from your friends and family and use Vanderbilt’s resources to develop skills to help you process and grieve. If you are struggling with mental health, you can reach the University Counseling Center at (615) 322-2571 or their Crisis Text Line by texting VANDY to 741741. If you have a friend that needs support, complete a student of concern report to help them get connected.
