Remembering Sky Russell: Vigil Held to Honor Their Life

By Lizette Ramirez and Emerson Drewes

On a chilly Sunday night, the University of Nevada, Reno and local community came together to honor and celebrate the life of Sky Russell, 21-year-old, soon to be graduated, environmental science student.

Warm lighting, the sweet smell of the candles and the chirping of birds in the trees encapsulated the event as many came to mourn the loss of a beloved family, friend and community member. Russell took their own life after a long struggle with mental illness and their body was discovered on the northeast end of the Quad on May 4. Since the discovery, the campus and local community quickly came together to support Russell, their family and friends.

A fundraiser was set in place to help raise money for Russell’s memorial and other expenses, as well as a vigil, arranged by Barstool Nevada and Old Row Nevada on May 7; both were assembled within a day of the news.

“With this devastating tragedy, the Russell family needs our help,” Michelle Wallace Leutzinger wrote, the organizer of the fundraiser and close family friend. “…With everything they’re going through, having to worry about money shouldn’t be added to their suffering.”

Within a day of the fundraiser being erected, it had amassed $22,000.

Hundreds of people, including many who knew Russell, congregated at the Mackay Statue starting at 8 p.m. to leave small mementos of remembrance for Russell’s life — including flowers, candles and letters — or to give condolences and remember the person. Scribbled on the letters and candles were things like “for Sky to read only!” or “you’re loved.” One small note was left that read “the smartest environmental scientist I knew.”

Meika Onigkeit, a co-worker of Russell’s from their time working at Habit Burger on campus present at the vigil, said they had seen them only a week ago, and the death was “pretty sudden.”

“It was really upsetting to realize it was my friend that I knew,” said Onigkeit. “They were just about to graduate and they were so excited for their future. For it to be gone now, is really, really sad.”