Zachary Brunt ’15, a scientist and musician from Alexandria, Va., died Wednesday, according to an email from Yale College Dean Mary Miller.
Brunt was found dead at J.W. Gibbs Laboratory earlier this afternoon. Police were called to the scene at 2 p.m., and Brunt’s body was brought to the medical examiner.
Miller said the Yale Police Department is conducting a full investigation. Yale Police Chief Ronnell Higgins said there is “no evidence of foul play nor…any indication of an accident,” according to Miller’s email. Higgins deferred comment to the Office of Public Affairs and Communcations. University spokesman Tom Conroy could not be reached as of 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Davenport Master Richard Schottenfeld invited students to come together in the Davenport courtyard on Thursday at 8 p.m. to reflect on Brunt’s life.
Read the full text of Miller’s email below:
18 April 2012
To the Members of the Yale Community:
It is my very sad duty to report that Zachary Brunt, Davenport ’15, of Alexandria, Virginia, died earlier today. We mourn the loss of Zachary and extend our deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.
Yale Police Chief Ronnell Higgins tells me that there is no evidence of foul play nor is there any indication of an accident. The Yale Police Department is conducting a full investigation.
Davenport Master Richard Schottenfeld invites you to come to the Davenport Courtyard on Thursday, April 19, at 8 p.m., to reflect on Zach’s life and to console one another.
If you want to talk to someone about your feelings, please reach out to your friends, your advisers, a freshman counselor, your dean, or your master. The Yale Mental Health & Counseling Services will have professional counselors available tonight to anyone who wishes to come over to 55 Lock Street, the Yale Health Center, until 11:00 p.m. After 11 p.m., you should not hesitate to call (203) 432-0123 to get in touch with a counselor on call. The Chaplain’s Office, in Bingham Hall, Entryway D, will be open to all until 11 p.m. tonight and tomorrow. You can also call (203) 432-1128 to reach the Chaplain’s staff. Old Campus Fellows will open their suites to all freshmen this evening, as well.
In the days to come, we will continue to meditate on the sudden, tragic loss of such a brilliant, outgoing young scientist and musician. For now, I ask you to focus on one another and offer support at this sad time.
Yours truly,
Mary Miller
Dean of Yale College