Kirkland Sophomore Found Dead at Medical School

The Boston Police Department (BPD) has deemed the death of a Kirkland House sophomore on Thursday night a suicide, according to a report in the Boston Herald.

A BPD spokesman Saturday declined to confirm the cause of death of John B. Edwards '10, saying the department was waiting on a report from the medical examiner.

“Until then, it’s still speculation,” BPD spokesman Eddy Chrispin told The Crimson.

Police found Edwards' body shortly after 11 p.m. on Thursday night in the fourth-floor bathroom of the Harvard Medical School's New Research Building, according to BPD.

On Friday afternoon, a spokeswoman for the Boston medical examiner said a cause of death had not been determined.

Edwards was pronounced dead at the scene by medical examiners, according to the Harvard University Police Department (HUPD). Firefighters were called to the scene to investigate the presence of a possibly toxic crystal chemical, according to BPD, and the Herald reported that Edwards was found with a plastic bag wrapped around his head.

Interim Dean of the College David R. Pilbeam sent an e-mail on Friday to members of the Harvard community informing them of Edward’s death and describing the support services available to the community.

Edwards was from Wellesley, Mass., and conducted stem cell research at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

According to his roommate Alex C. Chang ’10, Edwards had also been training for next year’s Boston marathon and had set up a website to raise money for various non-profits.

“John was really generous, and he was very open about anything on his mind,” said Chang.

Edwards was planning to concentrate in Molecular Cellular Biology, according to Cabot Professor of Biology Richard M. Losick, who taught Edwards this semester.

“He was doing well in the class,” said Losick. “I was expecting to get to know him well.”

Police have not said if they believe foul play was involved in the incident, and HUPD spokesman Steven G. Catalano declined to comment further on the incident.

—Check thecrimson.com for updates.
—Staff writer Nan Ni can be reached at nni@fas.harvard.edu.

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people ages 15 to 24, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Over 90 percent of those who die by suicide suffer from depression or a substance-abuse disorder, according to statistics from the National Institute of Mental Health. Depressed individuals often experience feelings of pessimism, guilt, anxiety, and fatigue.

Other risk factors for suicide include a family history of mental health problems, feelings of hopelessness, impulsive or aggressive tendencies, and social isolation, according to the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention.

Effective treatments for mental health problems are available, but often underused. Individuals concerned about their own mental health or a friend's health can call the 24-hour, confidential National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Harvard affiliates can reach University Health Services during normal business hours at (617) 495-2042 or at (617) 495-5711 during nights and weekends.