College sophomore Elvis Hatcher died on Tuesday. He was 18.
His death was ruled a suicide, Jeff Moran, spokesperson for the Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office, said.
According to College sophomore Gabe Morales, president of Pi Lamda Phi, Hatcher died at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
Hatcher’s death is the second student death to have been ruled a suicide within the last three weeks. College freshman Madison Holleran’s Jan. 17 death was also ruled a suicide. Hatcher is the fourth Penn student to have died since the start of winter break.
University Communications could not be reached for comment.
Hatcher was the treasurer of Pi Lambda Phi fraternity and lived in Gregory College House last year. He worked in IT support at Wharton and loved math, according to an email sent Tuesday to impacted students.
Members of Pi Lambda Phi fraternity deferred comment to their president. Morales issued the following statement:
“The Brothers of Pi Lambda Phi would like to thank the Penn community for its undeniable support as we mourn the loss of our fraternity brother Elvis Hatcher,” Morales said. “We are deeply saddened by this unfortunate incident and are currently supporting the family during their loss. Our hearts go out to our fellow students as we pull together as a community to support each other. Pi Lambda Phi has been truly blessed to have a brother like Elvis, and will miss him very much.”
Hatcher’s freshman-year French professor, Sophie Degat-Willis, called him one of her “brightest and funniest students.”
“His enthusiasm and insightful contributions highly participated to the amazing dynamic of that class,” Degat-Willis said. “He will be greatly missed by his fellow students, faculty and the Penn community.”
A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that Hatcher died at 3914 Spruce Street. He died at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. The DP regrets the error.
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