2008 Woodie Awards
Woman found dead in dorm room
By Mike Mallory
Rocket Editor-in-Chief
Issue date: 2/10/06 Section: News
A Slippery Rock University student was found dead in her dorm room late Tuesday night.
Laura Moore, 18, was the fourth SRU student since Jan. 2005 to have died. She was found lying on the floor of her Harner Hall room by a community assistant in the building. At approximately 10 p.m., several of Moore's friends knocked on the door to room 107, where Moore lived. When they didn't receive a response, they walked outside to see if they could get a look into her window. At that time, they spotted her lying on the floor of her room.
The CA used the hall's master key to open the door. Campus police were called to the scene, but they weren't able to revive Moore. Pennsylvania State Police were notified shortly afterward, according to Trooper Frank Jendesky.
University residence hall policy allows a CA to enter a resident's room with a master key after obtaining permission from the hall coordinator. If a coordinator is not available, the CA may use the spare key to the room and must enter with a witness, whether it's a fellow CA or a student living in the dorm.
Moore's parents arrived on the scene at about 1 a.m., while Vice President of Student Life Robert Watson waited for them at the door. The coroner entered the building nearly one hour later. Moore's body was taken from the building shortly thereafter.
Moore lived alone in her Harner room. Her previous roommate, freshman Chrissy Beach, moved out of the residence hall on Monday. Beach, now a resident of Patterson Hall, declined to comment on the record.
Moore is a 2005 graduate of Schenley High School. She was an exercise science major with a focus on physical therapy. Moore was also a member of the Black Action Society (BAS) and the Illusions dance team at SRU.
"She was one of the sweetest people I have ever been blessed to meet," Illusions teammate Erin Marie Bradel said. "She was always smiling and made a good time out of any situation we were in. She never complained and was always there to listen and be a friend."
Bradel said even though she only knew Moore for a short period of time, she became a good friend to the team.
"We have become like family, and it's like losing a sister, but now she can dance pretty in heaven," Bradel said.
An autopsy was performed Wednesday by the Butler County Coroner's office. Toxicology test results will be made available in seven to 10 days.
Foul play and communicable diseases have been ruled out, but a cause of death is undetermined at this time.
Laura Moore, 18, was the fourth SRU student since Jan. 2005 to have died. She was found lying on the floor of her Harner Hall room by a community assistant in the building. At approximately 10 p.m., several of Moore's friends knocked on the door to room 107, where Moore lived. When they didn't receive a response, they walked outside to see if they could get a look into her window. At that time, they spotted her lying on the floor of her room.
The CA used the hall's master key to open the door. Campus police were called to the scene, but they weren't able to revive Moore. Pennsylvania State Police were notified shortly afterward, according to Trooper Frank Jendesky.
University residence hall policy allows a CA to enter a resident's room with a master key after obtaining permission from the hall coordinator. If a coordinator is not available, the CA may use the spare key to the room and must enter with a witness, whether it's a fellow CA or a student living in the dorm.
Moore's parents arrived on the scene at about 1 a.m., while Vice President of Student Life Robert Watson waited for them at the door. The coroner entered the building nearly one hour later. Moore's body was taken from the building shortly thereafter.
Moore lived alone in her Harner room. Her previous roommate, freshman Chrissy Beach, moved out of the residence hall on Monday. Beach, now a resident of Patterson Hall, declined to comment on the record.
Moore is a 2005 graduate of Schenley High School. She was an exercise science major with a focus on physical therapy. Moore was also a member of the Black Action Society (BAS) and the Illusions dance team at SRU.
"She was one of the sweetest people I have ever been blessed to meet," Illusions teammate Erin Marie Bradel said. "She was always smiling and made a good time out of any situation we were in. She never complained and was always there to listen and be a friend."
Bradel said even though she only knew Moore for a short period of time, she became a good friend to the team.
"We have become like family, and it's like losing a sister, but now she can dance pretty in heaven," Bradel said.
An autopsy was performed Wednesday by the Butler County Coroner's office. Toxicology test results will be made available in seven to 10 days.
Foul play and communicable diseases have been ruled out, but a cause of death is undetermined at this time.
