Officials from Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington confirmed the deaths of two students in separate incidents on October 9 and 10, 2024. These events occurred within a span of 24 hours.
Emergency services were alerted to Nash Hall at approximately 10:30 p.m. on October 9 following the report of a student falling from the residence hall. The next morning, another student was found unresponsive in Alma Clark Glass Hall, a different dormitory on campus.
According to law enforcement officials, there were “no initial indications of foul play” in either case. They also stated that there appears to be no connection between the two deaths or any ongoing risk to the campus community.
The student who fell from Nash Hall was identified as Micah Mazzuca. Mazzuca, a recent addition to Western Washington University’s student population, was pursuing a double major in music and education. His aim was to become a teacher in high school choir, drama, and English.
The autopsy report identified both students as being 18 years old. The first death was ruled a suicide, caused by the fall from the residence hall. Preliminary investigation suggests the second student, a female, might have died from a drug overdose the previous night, law enforcement officials noted.
University officials referred to these incidents as “heartbreaking events.”
The university, home to roughly 14,747 students and located 21 miles south of the U.S.-Canada border, is providing counseling and wellness resources through the WWU Counseling and Wellness Center and Employee Assistance Program for affected students and staff.
The university has stated that it will withhold further details about the deaths until the investigation is completed, in order to respect the privacy of the students’ families.
