Student dies of self-inflicted injury, coroner says
UPDATE 2/10/08 9:56 CST
A male Eastern student died Friday at 1701 Ninth St.
The student was identified as Jesse A. Mounce by Charleston police officer John Blevins.
Mounce, sophomore public relations major, was from Springfield.
Blevins said the family had been notified of the situation Friday.
Mounce was found in his apartment, and his death was “apparently self-inflicted,” Coles County Coroner Michael Nichols said.
Police were dispatched to the residence at 11:10 a.m. Friday, Belvins said.
Mounce was pronounced dead at 11:38 a.m, Nichols said.
An autopsy was performed on Saturday.
Results will not be complete for two or three weeks pending toxicology results, Nichols said on Sunday.
Nichols declined to elaborate on the cause of death until autopsy results are complete.
Whether there would be an inquest into Mounce’s death has not been determined yet, Nichols said.
During an inquest, the coroner gathers information to assist in determining the cause and circumstances of death. Witnesses can also be called to give evidence of what they know about the death during an inquest. Generally, inquests are open to the public.
Nichols said he would discuss the matter of an inquest with Mounce’s family once the autopsy results are complete.
As of Sunday, Charleston police refused to comment on the cause of death or any other details of the case because it was an ongoing investigation.
Dan Nadler, Eastern’s vice president for student affairs, was on the scene Friday.
“Lots of people are grieving,” he said. “Anytime anything like this happens, it’s a tragic loss.”
Also on the scene were Bob Dudolski, director of Greek Life, and Charleston interim police chief Mark Jenkins.
Sandy Cox, director of the counseling center, was also on the scene.
Cox and two of her staff members were on site within 15 minutes of being called, Nadler said.
Group and individual counseling is being made available for students at the counseling center. The counseling center can be reached at 581-3413.
A visitation for Mounce will be held today from 4 to 7 p.m. at Staab Funeral Home, located at 1109 South 5th Street in Springfield. A funeral mass will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Cabrini Church, located at 1020 N. Milton Ave. in Springfield.
Nora Maberry and Stephen Di Benedetto can be reached at 581-7942.
Student dies of self-inflicted injury, coroner says
Sandy Cox, director of the counseling center and Coles County Coroner Mike Nichols speak to a Charleston Police Officer on Friday. (Nora Maberry/The Daily Eastern News)
Student dies of self-inflicted injury, coroner says
Charleston police officers and Coles County Coroner Mike Nichols (right) load the body of a person identified by authorities as an Eastern student Friday afternoon at 1701 Ninth St. (Nora Maberry/ The Daily Eastern News)
