Body Discovered On UNR Campus

By Lizette Ramirez and Emerson Drewes

A deceased body was found on the University of Nevada, Reno campus at 7 a.m. on Thursday. According to UNR officials, there is no current threat to campus and police presence has been increased.

“There is currently an increased police present at the north end of the Quad between the Paul Laxalt Mineral Engineering and Mackay School of Mines buildings,” said the email sent to students at 8:46 a.m. “Please avoid this location at this time.”

A cause of death has not been released.

Update as of 10:42 a.m.

According to Scott Walquist, director of communications for UNR, at approximately 7:10 a.m. there was a body assigned female at birth found at the north end of the Quad between the Paul Laxalt Mineral Engineering and Mackay School of Mines buildings.

“There is currently an ongoing investigation by the University Police Department,” Walquist wrote in an email. “There is no threat to campus.”

The area between the Paul Laxalt Mineral Engineering and Mackay School of Mines buildings is now open.

Update as of 11:42 a.m.

The next of kin of the deceased person has been notified.

Update as of 12:09 p.m.

Eric James, chief of police for UNRPD, revealed the deceased woman was found by a construction worker. The body is with a medical examiner and there are no signs of trauma or violence. James explained UNRPD is waiting for the medical examination and toxicology report to move for ward with the investigation.

James stated it may take four to six weeks to determine the cause of the death, but could take longer.

While UNRPD is waiting for the cause of death, James stated they can do their due diligence with the last 12 hours of what the person’s life looked like.

“Where they were, who they were with, those types of things,” James ex plained. “Kind of trying to put together the last few hours, we can kind of see what happened.”

James reassured there is no ongoing threat on campus and there never was a threat. If any individuals need assistance, they are urged to go to counseling services on campus.

Update as of 5:24 p.m.

Brian Sandoval, president of the university, sent an email confirming the deceased indi vidual was a student.

“The death of a student affects our entire University. We mourn this tragic loss,” Sandoval wrote.

Out of respect for the student and the family, the university is honoring their privacy. Sando val provided campus resources for students and faculty who need help during this grieving time.

Onigkeit said they were disheartened to see many on the internet not using Russell’s proper pronouns and being “nasty.” Russell went by they, them and theirs pronouns, however many large media outlets used improper pronouns, including Barstool Nevada in their post about the arranging of the vigil. Talking about the situation with their partner has been a way of coping for Onigkeit, however they are trying to celebrate rather than be sad.

“We’re trying not to be sad, because that’s not what they would want; they would want us to celebrate them,” said Onigkeit. “We’ve been trying to find, like, things that they love to do and putting that in our lives, so we can always have a piece of them.”

Onigkeit will miss Russell and cited them as “the best coworker ever,” as they would sing together in the kitchen while they worked.

Logan Atkerson and Rudy Gonzales, members of Phi Delta Theta, came with their fraternity to show support.

“We’re very big on community,” Atkerson said. “We thought it was best we show our support for the community and for someone that sadly lost their life.”

Gonzales added, “We’re the Wolf Pack family, so we all just need to be here for one another.”

Atkerson revealed he’s tried going to the university for therapy but it’s not as easily accessible as advertised to be. Whenever Atkerson has tried receiving therapy he’s been put on a waitlist because of the amount of people who are also attempting to receive mental health help.

“I mean, it’s pretty pathetic,” Atkerson expressed. “There are people clearly that need help, and it’s like, you’re going to put me on a waitlist?”

Atkerson understands resources are limited but wishes there were steps taken to address the issue.

Russell will be remembered as a bright individual with a strong passion for the outdoors and deeply loved by their family and friends.