NY- Body in Mt. Hope Cemetery believed to be UR student, suicide

11-1-2008 New York:

An adult male corpse found scorched beyond recognition in Mt. Hope Cemetery on Halloween is believed to be that of a University of Rochester undergraduate student who committed suicide, according to university officials.

In an e-mail to faculty and students sent early today, University President Joel Seligman wrote that while the authorities have yet to identify the victim or a cause of death, the apparent self-immolation appeared to university security to have been a suicide.

“The student’s family is just learning of this tragic situation, so we cannot release the student’s name at this time,” Seligman wrote. “Our hearts go out to the family at a time like this. We share their sadness and shock at this tragic death.”

The message went on to encourage anyone touched by the news to seek counseling through a variety of university support services.

Authorities responded to the historic cemetery, which hugs the east side of the university campus along the Genesee River, after receiving a call around 11:50 p.m. Friday that a person was on fire in a remote section of the graveyard, Rochester Police Capt. Lloyd Cuyler said.

“We responded and did find an adult male unresponsive, that had extensive burns all over his body,” said Cuyler. “We did locate a gas can that was near the body and also a book bag.”

The dozens of police, firefighters and paramedics drew onlookers who peered through the wrought iron gates lining Elmwood Avenue across from Strong Memorial Hospital.

At one point, two men were led out of the cemetery by university security officials. They were escorted into a university security vehicle and driven away.

The grisly scene was enough to shock even emergency responders.

“In my 21 years with the Rochester Police Department . . . it is rare to have a case such as this,” Cuyler. ..News Source.. by David Andreatta and Chad Roberts • Staff writer