Jacksonville, AL – On Wednesday 30 August 2023 at around 5:35 p.m at approximately 5:35 pm, officers from the JSU Police Department were requested to conduct an investigation into the welfare of one of the students living within Pannell Hall. Pannell Hall apartments. The person who called was the student’s employer student, and was concerned that they could not get contact with the individual.
When they arrived, JSU Officers located the apartment and found it closed, but a key had been provided which allowed them gain access and found the student inside, but unresponsive. An investigation revealed that the student was dead in the apartment and Calhoun County Coroner, Pat Brown was contacted to the scene. Pat Brown advised, “I couldn’t find out the exact cause at scene, so I listed the reason for the dying in the form of “Under investigation”. The body of the student was taken for autopsy to Alabama Department of Forensic Science for an autopsy complete to determine the reason for death.
The president of Jacksonville State University, Dr. Don Killingsworth issued the following statement after learning about the issue:
“Jacksonville State University has been mourning the death of a student who passed away in their residence at the university. As per the protocol that is in place, police from the University Police Department is conducting an investigation. I’d like to assure you there isn’t a danger to the campus community.
This is a sad sadness for all the JSU family. Counseling Services is readily available. Students in need of support over the course of the night are able to contact UPD by calling 256-782-5050. You will be connected to an available counselor. On Thursday, you can call Counseling Services directly at 256-782-5475 to get assistance.
Sincerely,Dr. Don C. Killingsworth, Jr.”
JSU Police Chief, Michael Barton Michael Barton, JSU’s Police Chief, has stated that “This incident isn’t being looked into as a murder and there is no risk to the public”.
