Caroline Smith, a 20-year-old sorority sister at Furman University in South Carolina, tragically passed away on Saturday, April 6.
According to initial reports, Smith, a sophomore sister of the Kappa Delta Sorority at Furman University, died while at an off-campus event on South Carolina’s Hilton Head Island.
While an official cause of death has not been announced, The Island Packet reports that officials said EMS was dispatched to the island for a “fall with injuries.”
The report states that Beaufort County deputy coroner David Ott said Smith became unresponsive at a “gathering” at an off-campus event on Hilton Head Island’s Enterprise Lane.
Additionally, Ott stated that bystanders on the scene performed CPR as they awaited the emergency response. Hilton Head Fire Rescue later pronounced Smith dead at the scene.
On Sunday, April 7, Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office Major Bob Bromage said that Smith’s death was still under investigation.
“It is still under investigation. People are still being interviewed,” Major Bromage said to reporters.
Elizabeth Davis, the President of Furman University, addressed Smith’s death in a statement on Facebook, saying that her passing is a reminder of “how fragile life can be.”
“The university extends its most heartfelt condolences to Caroline’s family and her friends. I hope all of you will do the same during this time of profound sorrow,” Davis’ statement read.
“As a close and caring community, such a loss impacts all of us, and we are reminded how fragile life can be. It is important that we console one another in our grief and seek help if we need it,” she continued.
Additionally, President Davis said that the university will be offering grief counselors to any student who needs one.
Furman University is a small liberal arts college located in Greenville, South Carolina, that has an enrollment of approximately 2,800 students.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Smith’s friends, family, and various loved ones during this difficult time.
That is all the information that is available at this time. This article will be updated with new and relevant information should it become available at any time. If there is anything that we missed, please feel free to send an email to editor@teamcoedsite.wpengine.com and we will respond as soon as possible.
