Abigail Fones, a Truman State University student, died Sunday, Oct. 21. Fones was a senior communication disorders major.
Janna Stoskopf, vice president for student affairs, sent out a campus-wide email Monday afternoon to share the news and remind students there are services available to those who might need them.
“The death of a peer is always difficult,” Stoskopf wrote in the email. “It may be helpful for you to talk about your thoughts and feelings in reaction to this situation with members of our close and caring campus community. There are faculty and staff who would be willing to talk with you and to share their perspectives on positive ways to cope with grief and uncertainty.”
Stoskopf’s email also provided contact information for various resources around campus and reminded students to take care of themselves during this time.
Director of Public Safety Sara Holzmeier shared a statement with The Index on behalf of DPS encouraging students to not be afraid to ask for help.
“The Truman Department of Public Safety would like to express our deepest sympathies to Abbie’s family and friends,” Holzmeier wrote in her statement to The Index. “I know that the students at Truman are here to get an education and to learn, and we are here to make sure they do that in the safest environment possible. I hope that if they only learn one thing while here, it is to ask for help when they need it. We have multiple resources on campus and in the community to assist them with anything they might need. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.”
Kirksville Police Department detective Justin Jones said while the investigation is ongoing, there is no foul play suspected at this time.
The Index reached out to University President Sue Thomas for an official statement, but she declined.