ST. GEORGE — Officials have released the identity of a Dixie State University student who died on campus Tuesday night.
Jessica Reynolds, 26, a freshman chemistry major, was found unresponsive in the Student Activities Center by a Dixie State staff member, Jyl Hall, the University’s public relations and marketing director, said.
“Police have determined that this is an isolated incident and there were no indications of foul play,” Hall said Wednesday.
Upon finding Reynolds in a bathroom stall inside the university’s activity center at approximately 8 p.m., the staff member called 911.
Campus police responded within a minute, Hall said, and began performing CPR. When paramedics arrived on the scene, they continued to administer CPR for 25 minutes but resuscitation efforts proved unsuccessful and Reynolds was pronounced dead.
St. George News Senior Reporter Mori Kessler was at the scene Tuesday night and observed a member of the medical examiner’s office as well as a deputy Washington County attorney.
“We requested there be an autopsy, so she’ll be sent to the medical examiner’s office in Salt Lake and they’ll tell us if it was a medical problem or what else,” Dixie State Police Chief Don Reid told St. George News at the scene.
Under Utah law, the body will go to Salt Lake City for the autopsy and then be returned to its point of origin within 24 hours, Reid said.
Reynolds’ body was transported to the medical examiner’s office in Salt Lake City, where an autopsy is being performed.
“Instances like these are always tragic when they impact our student body,” Dixie State Dean of Students Del Beatty said. “We extend our deepest condolences to the family and will do anything we can to help them and all students get through this challenging time.”
A group therapy session has been set up for noon Wednesday at Dixie State’s Health and Wellness Center for students, faculty and staff who are impacted by the incident, Beatty said. Individual therapy sessions are also available through the center by appointment as needed. The center can be reached at 435-652-7756.
St. George News Senior Reporter Mori Kessler contributed to this report.
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back in college i knew a young guy who just died one night in his sleep for no apparent reason. they said it was heart failure. he didn’t even know he had health issues. sad thing. curious how the people with the gurney are all dressed up
Gee Bob maybe the city should hire you as the health and dress superintendent eh ?
and one more thing Bob . mopping floors and scrubbing toilets doesn’t mean you actually went to college. .you were just the janitor. ..God Bless you for trying Bob !
When the funeral home picks up a body, they normally wear a suit. They probably too her body to SLC and will also bring her back.
Don’t mind Bob he has a problem with the whole world and everything in it