Radford University Student Deaths: A Tragic History

Radford University is a public university in Radford, Virginia, offering a wide range of academic programs and extracurricular activities to its students. However, the university has also witnessed some tragic incidents involving the deaths of its students. In January 2019, 21-year-old Radford University student Luisa Cutting was arrested and charged with the second-degree murder of her best friend and fellow student, Alexa Cannon, in an alleged stabbing incident. In a separate incident in September 2022, Radford University freshman Aris Eduardo Lobo-Perez died in the New River Valley Regional Jail, with initial reports suggesting possible drug involvement, although the cause of death was still undetermined. These incidents have undoubtedly shaken the Radford University community, and the university has offered grief counseling and support to its students, faculty, and staff in the aftermath of these tragic events.

Alexa Cannon, a Radford University student, was stabbed to death by her best friend

On the morning of January 24, 2019, Radford University student Alexa Cannon was stabbed to death. Her best friend, 21-year-old Luisa Cutting, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder.

Police were called to the scene of a suspected domestic incident at an apartment on Clement Street, Radford, where they found Cannon with multiple stab wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

When the police arrived, they were met by Cutting, who was "covered in blood". She turned around, placed her hands behind her back, and said, "Arrest me." When asked why, she replied, "I killed her."

The two women had been best friends since their freshman year in 2016. Shelton Lewis, a fellow Radford University student who lived nearby and knew both women, expressed shock and confusion over the incident, as they had been friends for many years.

In a statement, Radford University's president acknowledged the tragedy and offered grief counselling to all faculty, students, and staff. The university spokesperson, Caitlyn Scaggs, affirmed their commitment to providing support and connecting with students during this challenging time.

Cutting was sentenced to 40 years in prison for the second-degree murder of Cannon. During her hearing, it was revealed that she had consumed a combination of drugs and alcohol the night before the murder, and had exhibited bizarre behaviour, suggesting a psychotic episode.

Luisa Cutting, another Radford student, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder

Radford University is a public university in Radford, Virginia, offering a variety of academic programs and extracurricular activities to its students. However, in recent years, the university has also been the site of several tragic incidents, including the death of a student, Alexa Cannon, who was stabbed by her best friend and fellow student, Luisa Cutting.

On January 24, 2019, police received a dispatch for a suspected domestic disturbance at an apartment on Clement Street, just blocks away from the Radford University campus. When they arrived, they encountered a gruesome scene. The warrant obtained by WDBJ7 revealed that dispatchers heard a woman screaming and mentioning a knife. Upon entering the apartment, the police met a woman covered in blood, who turned out to be Luisa Cutting. Cutting, aged 21 at the time, placed her hands behind her back and said, "arrest me," confessing to the murder when asked why.

The victim, later identified as Alexa Cannon, was found lying on the floor with multiple stab wounds and was pronounced dead by rescue workers. Cannon and Cutting were both students at Radford University and had been best friends since their freshman year in 2016. The crime shocked the university community, with many struggling to comprehend the motive behind such a tragic act. Shelton Lewis, a junior at Radford University and a neighbour of the victims, expressed his disbelief, stating, "I'm lost for words, to be honest... I really wanna know what was the motive behind it."

Luisa Cutting was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in the death of Alexa Cannon. The Radford University administration responded to the incident by offering grief counselling and support to its students, faculty, and staff. The university's president acknowledged that it was a difficult time for all involved, and spokesperson Caitlyn Scaggs assured that the university would continue to connect with students and provide the necessary assistance.

Another incident involved the death of a Radford University freshman, Aris Eduardo Lobo-Perez, who passed away in September 2022 while in custody at the New River Valley Regional Jail. Lobo-Perez had been arrested on misdemeanor charges of public intoxication and underage possession or purchase of alcohol. However, the initial autopsy report did not reveal a cause of death, and investigators are still working to determine the circumstances surrounding his demise.

Radford University freshman Aris Eduardo Lobo-Perez was found dead in his jail cell

However, Lobo-Perez's time at Radford University was short-lived. On September 11, 2019, he was arrested by campus police for public intoxication and swearing. He was taken to the New River Valley Regional Jail, where he was found dead in his cell just eight hours later. The official cause of death was determined to be opioid toxicity compounded by asthma, according to the state medical examiner's office.

Lobo-Perez's death raised questions about the university's handling of the situation. His family and friends expressed concern, as he had a history of medical issues and displayed signs of severe intoxication before his arrest. They believed he should have been taken to a medical facility instead of a jail cell. The university, however, stated that there were no indications of medical distress and that Lobo-Perez was arrested for his own safety.

The tragic death of Lobo-Perez shocked the Radford University community and highlighted the complex issues surrounding student health, safety, and substance abuse. It also served as a reminder of the potential consequences of alcohol and drug use among college students, with thousands of deaths attributed to these factors each year.

The story of Lobo-Perez's hopes for a new beginning and his tragic end in a jail cell just as his college journey was beginning is a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the impact that universities and support systems can have on vulnerable students.

Lobo-Perez had been arrested on charges of public intoxication and underage possession of alcohol

Radford University is a public university in Radford, Virginia. In recent years, there have been a few reported incidents of student deaths, with two gaining significant media attention.

The Death of Aris Lobo-Perez

Aris Lobo-Perez, an 18-year-old freshman at Radford University, died under mysterious circumstances in September 2019. Lobo-Perez had a history of substance abuse and was arrested on charges of public intoxication and underage possession of alcohol. He was found dead in his cell at the New River Valley Regional Jail the morning after his arrest, before his family was even aware of his detention.

Lobo-Perez had arrived at Radford University from Culpeper, Virginia, hoping for a fresh start after a serious car accident during his high school years. However, he soon began skipping classes, drinking heavily, and experimenting with hard drugs. On the night of his arrest, he posted a Snapchat video showing him severely intoxicated. Within an hour, he was arrested by campus police from his dorm room.

The circumstances surrounding Lobo-Perez's death remain unclear, with a completed autopsy failing to reveal a cause of death, and toxicology reports yet to be concluded. State police are investigating his suspected illegal drug use, including what substances he may have taken and their sources.

The university faced scrutiny for its handling of the incident, with Lobo-Perez's family and witnesses questioning why he was taken to jail instead of receiving medical attention. The school defended its actions, stating that there were no signs of medical distress and that Lobo-Perez was arrested for his own safety due to the unavailability of a responsible adult to care for him.

The Death of Jacob B. Terry

In an unrelated incident, 19-year-old Radford University student Jacob B. Terry died of alcohol poisoning in his dormitory room in Peery Hall. University police and city rescue workers were called to the scene and found Terry unconscious, displaying signs of extreme intoxication. He was pronounced dead at the Carilion New River Valley Medical Center.

The initial autopsy of Lobo-Perez's death revealed no cause

Radford University is a public university in Radford, Virginia, with a student population of over 5,000. Since its founding in 1910, several students have died, with two notable cases being the deaths of Alexa Cannon and Aris Lobo-Perez.

Alexa Cannon was a 21-year-old Radford University student who was stabbed to death in 2019. Luisa Cutting, Cannon's housemate and best friend, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder.

Aris Lobo-Perez was an 18-year-old freshman at Radford University who died in September 2019 while in police custody. Lobo-Perez was arrested for public intoxication and underage possession or purchase of alcohol. He was found dead in his cell at the New River Valley Regional Jail just hours after his arrest. The initial autopsy of Lobo-Perez's death revealed no cause, leaving his death a mystery for over a month. State police investigated his suspected illegal recreational drug use, and a toxicology report was pending at the time. Lobo-Perez's death raised questions about the university's handling of the situation and the decision to place him in a jail cell instead of providing medical care.

The case of Aris Lobo-Perez's death gained significant attention due to the circumstances surrounding his arrest and the unknown cause of death at the time. Lobo-Perez had a history of substance abuse and mental health issues, including a previous car accident that resulted in extensive brain trauma. His family and friends expressed concern about his well-being leading up to his arrest. The university stated that there were no signs of medical distress, and he was arrested for his own safety. However, witnesses reported that Lobo-Perez appeared severely intoxicated and displayed concerning symptoms such as foaming at the mouth.

The mystery surrounding Lobo-Perez's death was finally unravelled when, three months after his death, the state medical examiner's office determined that he had died from opioid toxicity, which was compounded by asthma. This conclusion brought some closure to the case, yet it also raised further questions about the role of the university and law enforcement in his death. Lobo-Perez's story highlights the complex issues surrounding substance abuse, mental health, and the criminal justice system, particularly when it comes to vulnerable individuals.

The death of Aris Lobo-Perez serves as a tragic reminder of the potential consequences of substance abuse and the importance of proper support systems for individuals struggling with addiction and mental health issues. The circumstances of his death also underscore the ongoing debate about how institutions of higher education and law enforcement agencies handle cases involving students' mental health and substance abuse.

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