WHBF-TV recently issued the following announcement.
A University of Iowa student was found dead outside of a school building early Wednesday.
A spokesperson for the university told our CBS sister station that Gerald Belz was found unresponsive behind Halsey Hall around 2:48 a.m.
The 2018 Cedar Rapids Kennedy graduate was found behind the building located across the street from the Iowa Memorial Union.
An investigation is ongoing. No foul play is suspected, but police say that cold could be a factor.
Local 4 News spoke with students Wednesday night.
One senior says the university had canceled classes for the first time in a decade and that really sent a signal for her.
"It's definitely devastating when the weather is this cold and maybe you had to be somewhere. I just wanted to know why he was walking around because it definitely was not safe, says Alyssa Wilderman.
Another student says he works in the building across from Halsey Hall but he didn't see or hear anything at the time of the incident.
He says he didn't think the weather could actually be deadly-- until now.
"It's honestly kind of scary, just because it doesn't seem like it's too dangerous out there, but now it's kind of making me want to take an Uber back home," says Corey Kuepker, a senior.
Local 4 News obtained a copy of the message sent to students by Dr. Angie Reams, Interim Associate Vice President and Dean of Students:
We are saddened by the loss of a student from the Hawkeye family. Gerald Belz, a second year, pre-medicine major, died on January 30, 2019. Our thoughts are with Gerald's family, friends, and loved ones.
Losing a fellow student and member of our Hawkeye family can be very difficult. I encourage you to reach out if you are in need of support. A list of resources can be found on the university's safety and support website (http://www.uiowa.edu/homepage/safety-and-support) or by contacting one of these offices:
* University Counseling Services (319-335-7294) or http://bit.ly/1PbwPol to schedule an appointment
* Student Care and Assistance (319-335-1162) or dos-assistance@uiowa.edu
* UI Employee Assistance Program (319-335-2085) or eaphelp@uiowa.edu
* Johnson County Crisis Center (319-351-0140)
“Based on comments the family received from two doctors and the police caption this morning, they told us multiple times that zero alcohol was found in his system,” Gerald's dad Michael Belz told KGAN.
Cedar Rapids Kennedy High School Principal Jason Kline tweeted that the school also is offering counseling services.
Original Source can be found here.
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