Savanna Hoffman
There have been several reported deaths of Radford University students in recent years. In 2019, 18-year-old Aris Lobo-Perez was found dead in a jail cell after being arrested instead of hospitalized, despite witnesses reporting that he was foaming at the mouth. Another 18-year-old Radford University student died at the New River Valley Regional Jail in 2022, although the cause of death has not been disclosed. These incidents raise concerns about student safety and the handling of vulnerable individuals by law enforcement and university authorities.
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What You'll Learn
- An 18-year-old Radford University student died in a jail cell in 2019
- The student, Aris Lobo-Perez, was foaming at the mouth before his arrest
- An autopsy did not reveal a cause of death
- Lobo-Perez's family questioned why he was taken to jail instead of hospital
- The jail had not reported any deaths since 2016
An 18-year-old Radford University student died in a jail cell in 2019
In 2019, an 18-year-old Radford University freshman student, Aris Lobo-Perez, was found dead in his Virginia jail cell. He was arrested by campus police for public intoxication the night before his death. Lobo-Perez had only been at Radford University for three weeks before his death.
According to the state medical examiner's office, Lobo-Perez died of opioid toxicity compounded by asthma. The medical examiner's office ruled the 18-year-old's death an accident, but his mother, Dixiana Perez, rejected this finding, arguing that it was neglect. She believed that the police and jail guards should have taken her son to the hospital, especially considering his medical history. Lobo-Perez had been in a serious car accident the previous year, which left him in a medically induced coma for a month and caused him to suffer from depression and mood swings. The accident also exacerbated his asthma.
In the week before his arrest, Lobo-Perez had started drinking more and using hard drugs, according to his friends on campus. On the night of his arrest, two witnesses described him as foaming at the mouth, but the university rejected these accounts, stating that there was no indication of medical distress. Radford University officials refused to release an arrest report while the investigation was ongoing.
The death of Lobo-Perez raised questions about the way the university handled the situation and their policies regarding student intoxication. While Radford does not allow alcohol in its dorms, the school's resident assistants and directors are trained to notify the police if they encounter a student suspected of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol. However, students who get into trouble for alcohol at Radford are three times more likely to be arrested than students at nearby Virginia Tech.
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The student, Aris Lobo-Perez, was foaming at the mouth before his arrest
In 2019, 18-year-old Radford University freshman Aris Lobo-Perez died in a Virginia jail cell. He had been arrested by campus police for public intoxication and was held until he was "no longer intoxicated."
Lobo-Perez had only been at Radford for around three weeks before his death. He had arrived at the university hoping for a fresh start after a serious car accident in his hometown of Culpeper, Virginia, which left him in a medically induced coma for a month. Unfortunately, he struggled with depression, mood swings, and asthma as a result of the accident, and he turned to drugs and alcohol to cope.
On the night of September 11, 2019, Lobo-Perez posted a Snapchat video in which he appeared intoxicated. The following day, he was found drunk in another student's dorm room and was arrested by campus police. He was taken to the New River Valley Regional Jail, where he was held until he could sober up.
According to a police report obtained by 10 News, when Lobo-Perez was approached by jail personnel at around 7:20 a.m. on September 12 and offered breakfast, he declined. At 7:50 a.m., he was found unresponsive in his cell and was pronounced dead.
In the months following Lobo-Perez's death, questions arose about the role of Radford University and the New River Valley Regional Jail in his death. Lobo-Perez's mother, Dixiana Perez, alleged neglect, stating that her son should have been taken to the hospital, especially considering his asthma and the signs of intoxication. She also noted that he rarely went anywhere without his asthma inhaler, which was missing when he was arrested.
While the university denied any wrongdoing, stating that there were no signs of medical distress, witnesses reported that Lobo-Perez appeared to be under the influence of drugs, with one student specifically mentioning that he was "foaming at the mouth." The official cause of death was ruled as opioid toxicity compounded by asthma, and the medical examiner's office ruled the death an accident.
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An autopsy did not reveal a cause of death
In 2019, 18-year-old Radford University student Aris Lobo-Perez was found dead in a New River Valley Regional Jail cell. Lobo-Perez was arrested the day before his death, and witnesses reported that he was "foaming at the mouth" and could "barely open his eyes" prior to his arrest. Despite an autopsy being performed, no cause of death was determined.
State police investigated the incident, suspecting "illegal recreational drug use" as a potential cause. However, a toxicology report was not completed, and the autopsy did not reveal any conclusive evidence of drug use or other causes. The investigation into Lobo-Perez's death remained ongoing, and Radford University officials withheld the arrest report to facilitate the inquiry.
The case highlighted concerns about the handling of intoxicated individuals by campus police and the university's protocols for student arrests. Witnesses and Lobo-Perez's family questioned why he was taken to jail instead of receiving medical attention. According to university policy, students under the influence of substances can avoid arrest if a responsible, sober adult is available to ensure their safety. In the absence of such an option, the university follows Virginia law, which mandates that the individual be arrested and transported to jail until they are no longer intoxicated.
The tragic death of Lobo-Perez brought attention to the broader issue of college student deaths related to alcohol, drugs, and other factors. While jail deaths are relatively uncommon, studies show that a significant number of college students lose their lives each year due to alcohol-related injuries, suicides, drug overdoses, hazing incidents, and campus shootings. The incident underscored the importance of addressing these issues and ensuring the safety and well-being of students on college campuses.
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Lobo-Perez's family questioned why he was taken to jail instead of hospital
In 2019, 18-year-old Radford University freshman Aris Lobo-Perez was found dead in a Virginia jail cell. The cause of death was ruled as a drug overdose, specifically, acute buprenorphine toxicity, with acute and chronic asthma as contributing factors. Buprenorphine is an opioid used to treat pain and opioid addiction, and Perez's mother stated that he had not been prescribed the drug.
Lobo-Perez's family, including his mother, Dixiana Perez, questioned why he was taken to jail instead of a hospital, citing his medical condition and the fact that he rarely went anywhere without his asthma inhaler. They alleged neglect on the part of the police and jail guards, stating that they should have been aware of his medical issues and taken him to a medical facility instead. Lobo-Perez had a history of depression and mood swings following a serious car accident the previous year, which had left him in a medically induced coma for a month. Additionally, there were reports that he appeared to be "foaming at the mouth" and exhibited signs of intoxication, indicating a need for medical attention.
The New River Valley Regional Jail referred questions to the Virginia State Police, who were investigating the death. The jail's superintendent, Gregory P. Winston, declined to comment on whether Lobo-Perez received a medical examination upon arrival, citing the ongoing investigation. According to a commitment order, a night magistrate required that Lobo-Perez be held until he was "no longer intoxicated." He was placed in a cell by himself, a common practice for inmates held overnight to sober up. However, instead of being released the next morning, he was found unresponsive in his cell.
While the police and the university defended their actions, stating that Lobo-Perez's behavior indicated intoxication, the family received support from other students. One student anonymously reported that Lobo-Perez had "white stuff around his mouth" and appeared to be high, questioning why the police didn't take him to the hospital. The tragic incident highlights the complexities involved in handling individuals with medical and mental health issues within the criminal justice system.
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The jail had not reported any deaths since 2016
In 2019, 18-year-old Radford University student Aris Lobo-Perez was found dead in a jail cell. Lobo-Perez was arrested and taken to New River Valley Regional Jail, instead of being taken to a hospital, despite appearing to be "foaming at the mouth and [barely able] to open his eyes" before his arrest. An autopsy did not reveal a cause of death, and toxicology reports are still pending. Lobo-Perez's death marks the first reported death of a Radford University student since 2016, when four people died while in custody.
While the jail has not reported any deaths since 2016, the circumstances surrounding Lobo-Perez's death have raised questions about the university's handling of the situation. According to the university, there was no one available to ensure Lobo-Perez's safety, which resulted in his arrest and subsequent death. This has brought attention to the limited options for individuals under the influence of substances who may need medical attention but instead find themselves in the criminal justice system.
Lobo-Perez's family and witnesses to his arrest have expressed confusion and concern about why he was not taken to a medical facility. They have highlighted the obvious signs of distress he exhibited before his arrest, which should have warranted medical attention. The university's response to Lobo-Perez's arrest and subsequent death has been met with criticism, with some questioning why he was arrested in the first place.
The investigation into Lobo-Perez's death is still ongoing, with state police looking into his suspected "illegal recreational drug use." The toxicology report is expected to provide more insight into the cause of death, which remains unknown at this time. The case has brought to light the complex issues surrounding substance use, student welfare, and the role of universities and law enforcement in ensuring the safety of individuals in distress.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2019, at least two Radford University students have died.
One student, 18-year-old Aris Lobo-Perez, died in a jail cell. The cause of death is unknown, but an autopsy report did not reveal any cause of death, and a toxicology report is pending. The other student's cause of death is also unknown.
The incidents occurred at the New River Valley Regional Jail, where students who are arrested and unable to be supervised until they are sober are taken.
Following the death of Aris Lobo-Perez, there has been criticism of the university's handling of the situation and the decision to arrest him instead of providing medical care. The university has refused to release an arrest report, citing the ongoing investigation. State police are investigating the suspected illegal recreational drug use of Lobo-Perez.
