Update, 2/16/14, 3:18 p.m.: The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office said that cause and time of death will not be definitive for four to six weeks, after evidence has gone through a toxicology screening.
Update, 2/16/14, 2:15 p.m.: Dean of Students in the College Susan Art sent a College-wide e-mail describing Barnes’ activities on campus. He was a Germanic studies and history major, and originally lived in Halperin House in South Campus. He moved to Booth House after studying abroad in Vienna during fall quarter 2012. He was also involved in Sliced Bread, the campus literary magazine.
This article was last updated at 11:46 a.m. on Feb. 16 to reflect the contents of Karen Warren Coleman’s e-mail.
Third-year Nicholas Barnes, age 20, was found dead in International House on Saturday. He was found around 4:15 p.m., according to Chicago Police Department spokesperson Hector Alfaro.
Barnes apparently last swiped in with his UCID a little before 11 p.m. on February 7, according to the Chicago Tribune. The student was discovered on Saturday after residents noticed a bad smell coming from the room. His body was found in a “decomposed state,” and he was pronounced dead at 4:50 p.m., the article said.
According to Alfaro, Area Central detectives are handling the case as a general death investigation pending cause of death. The student’s body will be examined on Sunday morning, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office. There is no evidence of foul play, according to an e-mail sent out Sunday morning from Vice President for Campus Life and Student Services Karen Warren Coleman.
According to Warren Coleman’s e-mail, the family is planning a funeral in Pittsburgh, where Barnes grew up. A campus memorial service will be held as well, with details to come.
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.