Murdered Students: Humboldt State University's Dark History

Since 1975, at least four Humboldt State University students have been murdered. In 2001, 29-year-old Corey Clark was shot and killed. The same year, 19-year-old David Josiah Lawson was stabbed to death. In 1975, 19-year-old Janet Lee Bowman was raped and strangled. Another student was murdered in the same year, but their name is not mentioned in the sources.

The murder of David Josiah Lawson

On April 15, 2017, Humboldt State University student David Josiah Lawson was stabbed to death while attending a house party on Spear Avenue in Arcata, California. The 19-year-old first-generation Jamaican-American was a sophomore studying criminal justice and a proud member of the Brothers United cultural group.

Lawson and his friends were accused of stealing a cell phone, which was later found. This led to an argument and a physical altercation with another group at the party. Lawson was stabbed multiple times with a 10-inch kitchen knife, including a fatal blow to the heart. He was pronounced dead at 4:07 am at Mad River Hospital.

Kyle Zoellner was arrested as the primary suspect, but the charges were later dropped, and a grand jury declined to indict anyone in the case. The murder weapon was found near the scene with DNA from both Lawson and Zoellner on it. However, no usable fingerprints were found on the knife.

The investigation into Lawson's murder has been criticized for its mishandling and racial bias. Lawson's mother, Charmaine Lawson, has been fighting for justice and has sued the city of Arcata and its Police Department for their inadequate and racially biased investigation. The National Police Foundation also found gross incompetence and mishandling by the first responders.

The case has brought attention to the issues of systemic racism, marginalization, and unfairness in the predominantly white community of Arcata and the Humboldt judicial system. Lawson's mother has formed the Justice for Josiah (J4J) Committee, holding marches, rallies, vigils, and other community outreach efforts to honour her son's memory and seek justice for his murder.

The murder of Corey Clark

Corey Clark, a 29-year-old Humboldt State University student, was fatally shot in Eureka, California, on October 6, 2001. Clark was a senior majoring in sociology and was on track to receive his bachelor's degree in December 2001.

Clark and his friends often spent their weekends in Eureka, California, and he was known for always being well-dressed and looking for a good time. Keion Morgan, an alumnus of Humboldt State University, described Clark as someone who strived to bring the community together, regardless of skin colour or sexual identity. Clark was also known as a peacemaker and a social justice advocate.

On the night of his murder, Clark had gone to Club West after the homecoming football game. He broke up a fight at the club, which reportedly left one of the men involved angry at Clark. For several weeks, Clark confided to his friend Cherie Anaya that he felt scared and that he was looking over his shoulder. Sadly, just weeks after that night, he was lured to an apartment and shot.

According to the Eureka Police Department Public Information Officer Brittany Powell, Clark was shot in the head at point-blank range and rushed to the hospital in critical condition. He succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Clark's friends believe they know who killed him and suspect that he was lured to the apartment by a woman connected to one of the men involved in the fight at Club West. A few weeks after the murder, the woman was reported missing and has not been seen or heard from since. However, the Eureka Police Department has not commented on this information due to the case being an open investigation.

Clark's funeral was held at the university and was attended by a large number of students and faculty, including those who did not know him personally. His friends remember him as a vibrant, kind, and amazing human being who loved life and lived it to the fullest.

Clark's case remains unsolved, and his friends continue to search for answers and justice. The Eureka Police Department encourages anyone with information about the case to contact their Criminal Investigations Section.

The murder of Janet Lee Bowman

On the morning of October 6, 1975, the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) received an anonymous letter informing them of the location of Janet Lee Bowman's body. The letter was postmarked two days earlier, on October 4, and included directions to Bowman's body, which was found partially undressed in a bush off the side of Highway 299, near the Korbel weigh station, east of Blue Lake.

Bowman was a 19-year-old sophomore at Humboldt State University. She was last seen five days earlier, on September 30, at the Humboldt County Welfare Office in Eureka, where witnesses said she was attempting to hitchhike back to her apartment on Pigeon Point Road. Bowman did not own a vehicle and frequently hitchhiked to get around.

After Bowman's friends noticed that she had not attended any of her classes that week, they filed a missing person's report on October 3. When her body was discovered, there were bruises on her face and neck, and a subsequent autopsy revealed that she had been strangled and probably raped.

Investigators asked the public for help in determining if anyone had witnessed Bowman getting into a vehicle, suspecting that she had been murdered by whoever had picked her up while hitchhiking. They also sought information about clothing items belonging to Bowman that were not found with her body.

To date, Bowman's murder remains unsolved, though it may have been the work of a serial killer. Over the next nine months, three other women's bodies were found in Humboldt County, all of whom had been strangled and raped.

The role of racial bias in the media coverage of student deaths

Racial bias in media coverage of student deaths has been a pervasive issue, with research indicating that Black defendants are portrayed more negatively and are more likely to have their mugshots used, while White victims are presented more sympathetically. This bias has real-world consequences, impacting the outcomes of criminal investigations and perpetuating harmful stereotypes.

The murder of David Josiah Lawson, a Black student at Humboldt State University, and the disappearance of Mollie Tibbetts, a White student at the University of Iowa, provide a stark example of this disparity in media coverage. Despite both cases involving college students, the public and media response differed significantly. Lawson's murder in 2017 at an off-campus party in Arcata, California, received minimal press attention outside of the local area, and the investigation has stalled with no arrests made. In contrast, Tibbetts' disappearance in Iowa in the same year garnered swift and widespread media coverage, leading to a multistate investigation and the arrest and conviction of her killer.

The racial dynamics of the two cases have led some to question whether the disparity in media coverage contributed to the differences in their outcomes. The underreporting of Lawson's case and the lack of public outcry were noted by journalists and commentators, who suggested that the lack of attention was due to his race. This sentiment was echoed by Lawson's mother, who continues to advocate for justice and accountability from the university and law enforcement.

The media's portrayal of crime and violence has been shown to contribute to and reinforce racial biases. Studies have found that Black people are overrepresented in news reports about violent crime arrests, even when they make up a smaller proportion of the arrested population. This disproportionate coverage reinforces negative stereotypes and contributes to a perception of Black individuals as inherently criminal and dangerous. Additionally, when people of color are arrested, they are more likely to be portrayed in a threatening manner, further contributing to these negative perceptions.

The implications of biased media coverage extend beyond individual cases. It influences public perception and can shape policies and societal attitudes toward certain racial groups. The constant association of Blackness with criminality can have concrete consequences, such as increased police scrutiny and higher arrest rates for Black individuals. Furthermore, the lack of media attention given to missing persons of color can hinder investigations and reduce the chances of a positive outcome.

To address these issues, media outlets must recognize the impact of their coverage and actively work to eliminate racial bias. This includes critically examining their reporting practices, such as the selective use of mugshots and sympathetic imagery, and ensuring that their narratives do not perpetuate harmful stereotypes. By doing so, the media can play a role in promoting a more equitable and just society.

The role of racial bias in the police investigation of student deaths

Racial bias has been a pervasive issue in the United States, and it has had a significant impact on police investigations, including those involving student deaths. In the case of Humboldt State University, there have been several incidents where the role of racial bias in the police investigation has been called into question.

One notable case is the murder of David Josiah Lawson, a Black student at Humboldt State University, in 2017. Lawson was killed at an off-campus party in Arcata, a predominantly white town in Northern California. The investigation into his death has been stalled, with local police arresting and releasing one suspect. Lawson's mother, Charmaine Lawson, has continuously pushed for justice and raised concerns about the lack of media attention and public outcry compared to cases involving white victims, such as the Mollie Tibbetts case. The circumstances of their deaths were different, but the disparity in media coverage and police response has led to questions about racial bias.

The murder of Corey Clark, a Black student at Humboldt State University, in 2001 also raises concerns about racial bias. Clark's case remains unsolved, and his friends believe they know the identity of the perpetrator, but there have been no arrests or charges. The lack of progress in the investigation has left Clark's loved ones seeking answers and justice.

In addition to these recent cases, there is also the cold case of Janet Lee Bowman, a student at Humboldt State University who was found strangled and raped in 1975. Bowman's case has never been solved, and it was speculated that her murder could be linked to a series of similar deaths in the area, potentially involving a serial killer. While law enforcement offered rewards and sought public assistance, the case remains unsolved, highlighting the challenges and potential biases in investigating crimes against women and minority students.

The role of racial bias in police investigations of student deaths at Humboldt State University is complex and multifaceted. While it is difficult to determine the exact impact of racial bias, the disparities in media coverage, public outcry, and investigative efforts between cases involving white and minority students suggest that racial bias may have influenced the police investigations to some extent. The perception of racial bias has also had a significant impact on the university community, particularly among students of color, who question their safety and the university's commitment to addressing racial inequality.

To address these concerns and ensure a more equitable approach to investigations, it is crucial for law enforcement agencies to actively combat racial bias within their ranks and prioritize all cases, regardless of the race or background of the victims. Additionally, universities should work closely with law enforcement and advocate for thorough and unbiased investigations to ensure that all students receive the justice they deserve.

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