Corey Jackson, a gay student at Oakland University in Michigan, was found dead yesterday after reportedly committing suicide. The poor boy was a sophomore at the school, 19-years-old, and reportedly was not a victum of bullying by his peers.
However, the campus police found Corey in a wooded area behind the school grounds. The medical examiner confirmed his death was a suicide by hanging.
So incredibly tragic.
The school's president, Gary Russi, issued the following letter of support to the students and to encourage them to honor Corey's memory:
“Any death in the campus community diminishes us all. We know there will be no quick antidote for the pain that Corey’s sudden death has caused, and that only time can heal the sorrow felt by his family and friends. In our mourning, I am hopeful that we will not focus on the manner of Corey’s death, but rather celebrate the life he lived and the people he touched.
Reassuringly, this spirit of community is already evident. Corey’s family and friends gathered in Van Wagoner Hall (Tuesday evening) to talk about Corey’s death and to comfort each other. At 10 p.m. this evening, those who loved and befriended Corey will gather again to celebrate his life on the bridge that crosses Bear Lake.
I encourage all in the campus community to come together and comfort those who need our support at this sad time. I’d also like to share that Graham Health Center is prepared to provide counseling to anyone who feels the need to talk about their feelings or manage their grief.
I’m confident that those who knew and loved Corey will miss him and cherish his memory. I know, too, that we as a campus community will keep his family and closest friends in our thoughts and prayers.”
This just breaks our hearts. We wish he'd known he'd had this kind of support behind him, so perhaps he didn't feel so alone and like he needed to end his beautiful, young life.
So upsetting.
We send our condolence to his family and friends, who are surely feeling his loss today.
