Janice Lozano
Several Princeton University students have died in recent years, with some deaths highlighting the need for better mental health support and raising questions about campus safety. Misrach Ewunetie, a 20-year-old Princeton student, went missing in October and was found dead near a tennis court on campus. Her death was ruled a suicide, but students have expressed concerns about the investigation's transparency. Other reported deaths include Lauren Blackburn, an English major, whose body was found in Lake Carnegie, and James Li, the son of a Princeton professor, who died by suicide. These tragedies have prompted conversations about mental health crises and the challenges faced by Ivy League students.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Misrach Ewunetie |
| Age | 20 or 21 |
| Date Missing | October 14, 2022 |
| Date Found | October 20, 2022 |
| Location Found | Behind a campus tennis court |
| Cause of Death | "Bupropion, escitalopram and hydroxyzine toxicity" |
| Circumstances | No signs of injury; death does not appear suspicious or criminal |
| Mental Health Support Available | University Counseling services, Suicide Prevention Lifeline, Crisis Text Line, residential college staff, Office of Religious Life |
| Other Princeton Student Deaths | Lauren Blackburn, James Li, Vincent Li, Sophia Jones, Jaqueline Gonzalez, Maura Coursey |
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What You'll Learn
Misrach Ewunetie, 20, died by suicide
Misrach Ewunetie, a 20-year-old Princeton University student, was found dead on campus on 20 October 2022, six days after she went missing. Her body was discovered by a facilities employee near the edge of the New Jersey campus by the tennis courts, about 1.5 miles from her residence.
Ewunetie was last seen around 3 a.m. on 14 October 2022, entering Scully Hall, where she lived. The evening before she vanished, she had volunteered at Princeton's Terrace Club for a live music performance. Her family reported her missing to campus officials two days later when they became concerned that she wasn't responding to their messages.
An autopsy found that Ewunetie's death was caused by a toxic combination of bupropion and escitalopram, which are commonly used to treat depression, and hydroxyzine, which can be used to address anxiety or provide relief for allergic conditions. At least 59 pills were found in her system, and journal entries describing past suicidal ideations were discovered in her dorm room. The Mercer County Prosecutor's Office ruled her death a suicide.
Ewunetie was a sociology student with a certificate in "Applications of Computing." She was a summer business analyst intern at McKinsey & Company's Ohio branch and had also interned at Bank of America. She was a member of the Princeton Ethiopian and Eritrean Student Association, the Pre-College Research Institute, and a group called Matriculate. She was also active in African student organizations on campus.
Princeton University called Ewunetie's death an unthinkable tragedy and announced plans to hold a memorial celebration in her honour. The university also increased security measures on campus, including restricting access to residential college dorms and locking common areas.
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Ewunetie's cause of death was drug toxicity
Misrach Ewunetie, a 20-year-old sophomore at Princeton University, went missing in October and was found dead six days later. Her body was discovered behind a campus tennis court by a university facilities employee. Ewunetie's death was ruled a suicide by local prosecutors, with the cause of death specified as "bupropion, escitalopram, and hydroxyzine toxicity." Bupropion and escitalopram are antidepressants, while hydroxyzine is an antihistamine used to treat anxiety and tension caused by nervous and emotional conditions.
In the wake of Ewunetie's disappearance and death, several concerns have been raised by students and the media regarding the circumstances leading to her death and the overall handling of the situation by the university. Students have expressed worries about their safety and felt that they were not informed about the full story of what happened to their fellow student. There were also reports of a note left on Ewunetie's dormitory door, which read, "be nicer," adding to the uncertainties surrounding the case.
The Mercer County Prosecutor's Office, which led the investigation, stated that Ewunetie's death did not appear suspicious or criminal, and no signs of injury were found. However, the office also noted that they were awaiting information from the medical examiner to determine the official cause and manner of death, including toxicology results. The delay in receiving the complete autopsy report was attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, with officials citing a turnaround time of approximately 12 to 16 weeks.
The tragic death of Misrach Ewunetie has brought to light important discussions about mental health and the well-being of students on Ivy League campuses. It has prompted calls for improved mental health support services and a reevaluation of the campus culture that often prioritizes over-achievement above mental well-being. Ewunetie's death underscores the critical need for universities to actively address mental health issues and provide adequate resources to ensure the safety and well-being of their student body.
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Lauren Blackburn, 23, died in Lake Carnegie
Death of Lauren Blackburn, 23
Lauren Blackburn, a 23-year-old Princeton University student, was found dead in Lake Carnegie on the morning of April 25, 2025. Blackburn, who was majoring in English and minoring in creative writing, had been missing since April 19. He was last seen near Firestone Library at around 6 p.m. on the day of his disappearance.
Blackburn's phone was pinged near Lake Carnegie, a man-made reservoir located about a mile from the library. This prompted authorities to initiate a water search on the night of April 21. The search was led by Princeton's Department of Public Safety with support from regional law enforcement agencies. On April 25, Blackburn's body was discovered in the lake.
The cause of Blackburn's death has not been released to the public. However, a family obituary stated that he passed away after a "courageous battle with bipolar disorder." Blackburn's death marks the seventh undergraduate death at Princeton since 2021, with the previous six ruled as suicides or related to mental illness.
The Princeton community has expressed its condolences to Blackburn's family and friends, and the university has offered counseling and support services to its students and staff. A funeral service was held for Blackburn, and he is remembered by his loved ones as a brilliant writer, a voracious learner, and a loving friend.
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Six Princeton student deaths were suicides
Six student deaths at Princeton University have been ruled suicides, exposing a crisis at elite schools. The recent death of a Princeton University undergraduate student, Lauren Blackburn, has prompted renewed conversation about how Ivy League schools handle mental health crises on campus. Blackburn, 23, was an English major and creative writing minor from Indiana. He was missing for several days before authorities found him deceased in a lake.
Blackburn's death is the third undergraduate death in two years and the eighth since 2021. Six of those deaths were suicides, according to The Princetonian. The recent death of a freshman, Sophia Jones, has also brought attention to the need for better mental health support services at Princeton. Jones, a member of Yeh College, was from Chicago and planned to major in molecular biology. She is the third Princeton student to pass away this calendar year.
In addition to Jones and Blackburn, four other Princeton students have died by suicide since 2021. Misrach Ewunetie, 20, went missing in October 2022 and her body was found days later near tennis courts on campus. Local prosecutors announced that her death was ruled a suicide, with the cause of death being "bupropion, escitalopram, and hydroxyzine toxicity."
James Li, the son of Princeton Professor Yiyun Li, who directs the university's creative writing program, also died by suicide in 2024. Li was a Princeton High School graduate. His mother, Yiyun Li, has written about her journey through depression and grief after losing both of her sons to suicide. The recent deaths have prompted conversations about the need for better mental health resources and support for students at Ivy League schools.
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Student deaths spark mental health discussions
The recent deaths of several Princeton University students have brought to light the need for improved mental health support and resources on college campuses, particularly at elite institutions. The tragic loss of these young lives has sparked conversations about the unique challenges and pressures faced by students at prestigious schools and the importance of prioritizing mental well-being over academic achievement.
Misrach Ewunetie
Misrach Ewunetie, a 20-year-old Princeton University student, went missing in October and was found dead near a tennis court on campus six days later. The cause of death was determined to be "bupropion, escitalopram, and hydroxyzine toxicity," involving two antidepressants and an antihistamine for anxiety. Ewunetie's death has raised concerns among students about their safety and the transparency of the university's investigation.
Lauren Blackburn
Lauren Blackburn, a 23-year-old Princeton junior and English major, was reported missing in April and was later found deceased in Lake Carnegie. Blackburn's death marked the eighth undergraduate death at Princeton since 2021, with six of those being ruled as suicides or related to mental illness. The recent loss of Blackburn has prompted renewed conversations about how Ivy League schools handle mental health crises and the need for better support for students facing mental health challenges.
James Li
James Li, the son of Princeton Creative Writing Director Yiyun Li, was a Princeton student who died by suicide in 2024. His death followed the suicide of his brother, Vincent Li, in 2017. Yiyun Li has written about her journey through depression and grief, offering insight into the struggles faced by students and the importance of prioritizing mental health.
Sophia Jones
Sophia Jones, a Princeton freshman from Chicago, passed away unexpectedly. She was the third Princeton student to die in the 2022 calendar year. Her death has sparked calls for the university to improve its mental health support services and challenge the campus culture that elevates over-achievement above mental well-being.
Response and Discussion
The deaths of these students have sparked discussions about the need for better mental health support and resources at Princeton University and other elite institutions. Calvin Chin, the director of CPS, has encouraged students to reach out for support and offer help to others during this challenging time. He has emphasized the importance of self-care and utilizing various means of support, including professional counseling services. Students have also expressed concerns about the transparency of investigations and the need for more comprehensive mental health education and resources. These tragic losses highlight the urgency of addressing mental health issues on college campuses and ensuring that students have access to the support they need.
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Frequently asked questions
The cause of death of 20-year-old Misrach Ewunetie was "bupropion, escitalopram and hydroxyzine toxicity." Bupropion and escitalopram are antidepressants, and hydroxyzine is an antihistamine used to control anxiety and tension caused by nervous and emotional conditions.
The cause of death of Lauren Blackburn, a 23-year-old Princeton University student, has not been released by the authorities.
James Li, the son of Princeton Professor Yiyun Li, died by suicide.
The cause of death of Maura Coursey is not known.
Sophia Jones died by suicide.
