Laura Treanor
The full article from the January 26 print edition of The Hatchet is available here.
Updated Saturday, January 24, 6:15 p.m. Sophomore Laura Treanor, 19, was found dead in her room in Ivory Tower Friday morning, according to University and police officials.
Treanor was The Hatchet’s contributing life editor and a member of the Phi Sigma Sigma sorority.
A Metropolitan Police Department statement Friday afternoon said there was no apparent trauma to the body. University spokeswoman Tracy Schario said at 6 p.m. Friday that it “appears Laura died of natural causes,” which she said effectively rules out homicide pending a complete autopsy.
Treanor’s mother, Ann-Marie Treanor, said in an interview Saturday that an autopsy had been conducted on Friday night but toxicology results would not be available for at least a month. Treanor, who traveled to the District to identify the body, was told there was no damage to the organs.
Ann-Marie Treanor said in an interview Friday night that her daughter had recently complained of painful headaches and chronic bruising, and had been treated for Lyme disease in the fall – though Laura was not taking prescription medication at the time of her death, she said. She added that roommates reported finding blood on Laura’s nose and pillowcase on Friday morning.
Laura Treanor last spoke to her father by phone at 9 p.m. on Thursday night and said she was going out with some friends, her mother said.
A native of Yorktown Heights, N.Y., Treanor was born in 1989 and lived in a quad in the 23rd Street residence hall. A roommate reported the death to authorities after finding her at 8:30 a.m., about an hour before an Alert DC message was sent out. Treanor was declared dead by a Medical Examiner representative at about 10 a.m.
A spokesman for MPD, Sgt. Kenny Bryson, said that officers responded to a report of an unconscious person Friday morning, and later requested a squad that investigates natural death. Bryson added that the death is likely not a homicide or suicide.
Beverly Fields, a spokeswoman for the Medical Examiner’s office, confirmed that the body was transported to their office, and that the cause of death is still pending.
A University statement released at 1:15 p.m. Friday explained that “Because the cause of death has not yet been determined, MPD has technically classified this as a ’suspicious death.’”
A schoolwide memorial is scheduled for Monday, January 26th at 7:30 p.m. in the Smith Center.
Treanor, who was Catholic, was a lector at The Newman Center last semester. The center is holding a memorial mass on Tuesday at 5 p.m. in The Newman Center chapel on 22nd and F streets.
In an interview, University President Steven Knapp said the University has been speaking with the family and does not know a cause of death.
“It just tells you once again how important it is for us to keep an eye out for each other and stick together as a community,” Knapp said. “Tragic things will always happen but we try to do everything we can to prevent them and to understand what people in the community are experiencing.”
Treanor is the first current student to die on campus in about four years.
Emily Cahn, Nathan Grossman, Sarah Scire and Alex Byers contributed to this report.
Any death of a 19 year old is a suspicious death.
I agree that it must be investigated and my heart goes out to the family.
“Any death of a 19 year old is a suspicious death.”
That’s hardly true. It’s bad enough that a student has died–there’s no need for alarmism.
Well with the looks of the scene around Ivory this mourning it does not look like MPD is taking the investigation as a homicide one, there were no restrictions on who could enter or leave and it was the Medical Examiner who showed ont he scence not CSI, Also only 3 patrol units only 1 detective car. Chances are the police know what they are dealing with.
Horrible news to hear.
How does a 19 year old die of natural causes? This is a tragic day for GW
We would like to express our condolences to the Treanor Family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Very tragic..I will pray for her family.
Suzie: I don’t know if your question was rhetorical, but a nineteen year old can die from any manner of natural causes– an asthma attack, an aneurysm, heart attack, reactions to medication, complications from a prior illness…the same natural causes our older folks succumb to.
My condolences to her family and friends. May we end speculation, let the police handle it and leave Laura with her privacy.
this is terrible news, poor girl
My question is does anyone know/heard/have any idea why she died? It’s terrifying me to think about it. My condolences to the family
Being a friend of Laura Treanor’s from high school and from GW, I am horrified to find out this news because I know she was a girl destined for great things! I hope she knows that I am so happy I had the pleasure of knowing her. Rest In Peace. Yorktown, NY and GW will miss you dearly sweetie!
While I did not know Miss Treanor, I will be in prayer for her family.
It is comforting to know the Lord offers life beyond this place.
My prayers and condolences to the family.
My condolences to the Hatchet staff as well as Laura’s friends and family.
-Paul Connolly, editor in chief ‘93-94
This is obviously very sad and tragic. I did not know Laura but my thoughts go out to her friends and family in this difficult time. I would also note that it’s very disturbing that she is the first student to die on campus in four years, although I suppose it’s disturbing when any student on campus dies.
The alumni of Phi Sigma Sigma were all devastated to hear what has happened. I never knew Laura, but I have heard the best things about her in the last few hours chatting with younger sisters. Our hearts go out to the family. Once a Phi Sig, Always a Phi Sig.
My condolences.
Jake Sherman- editor in chief 07-08.
Laura was my roommate last year. And I know how dedicated she was to the Hatchet. She’s such a sweet person and cared for everyone. My prayers go to her family.
I am praying for loved ones. I am sorry about your loss. I am wondering if Laura had the HPV vaccine Gardasil. My daughter is very ill along with 15,000 reports to VAERS and 35 deaths. Laura’s health issues are the same as all the other girls.
My prayers and sincerest sympathy to Laura’s parents Anne-Marie and Pat. And to her brother Kevin and sister Margaret. How very sad and tragic. We’ll be thinking of you and praying for you. Love from your cousins in Ireland.xoxo
I went to high school with Laura and was friendly with her. She was a wonderful person– the type of girl who would compliment you out of nowhere, even if you hadn’t spoken to her for a while. Seldom was a moment when she wasn’t smiling! And whoever “random” is, Laura was a proud conservative, and would have not been engaging in any such activity Tuesday; she’d be too classy to anyway. She was a passionate, inspiring individual who was always wanting to know the world, whether it be with Model UN or through her work at the Hatchet. She will be remembered as
a beautiful person and there are only good things to say about her. God bless.
I remember Laura from high school (we were in different grades but shared an interest in journalism). She was a great girl, always fun to be around and its so upsetting to even hear this news. You’re in our prayers Laura <3 – Gina -
Plenty of 19 year olds die of natural causes, it just seems unnatural because of her age. Young people have heart attacks, undiagnosed diseases like diabetes and epilepsy, and aneurysms just to name a few. Don’t start making people get all nervous claiming its a suspicious event, GW, her friends and her family do not need panic while dealing with this tragedy.
I was a freshman when Laura was a senior in high school and we were model un partners. I remember I was so intimidated by the whole situation, but Laura was so so nice and I admired her so much. RIP Laura, you were an amazing person. <3
Tragic loss-I suspect the Lyme diagnosis/treatment plan or lack thereof. Of the many possible tick-borne co-infections called Lyme (Borellia, Erlichia, Babesia, Bartonella, et al), chances are she was given a few weeks of antibiotics and “cured”. My son nearly died this year from “Lyme”, and only after ignoring what was available and trusting to the medical necessity of a leading specialist (and lots of money) he will live to be nineteen.
I had the privilege of having Laura as my student in two of my Spanish classes last year: Fall and Spring. I have been teaching 18 years and I have had 2 or 3 students like her: bright, motivated, focused, curious … a joy. Laura never missed a homework assignment, never missed a class, an even though she was the best student in the class, she would amaze me by asking me how could she improve her Spanish even more.
I often thought she was the daughter any parent would like to have. How wonderful for her parents to have a daughter like that, I often thought.
I would have always remembered Laura no matter what: she is one of those students you never forget.
This is how I will always remember her. She was a truly wonderful student and human being.
My condolences go out to all at the GW community of which I am a part of also. I agree that her untimely passing was of natural causes due to some sort of complications of her Lyme disease but I have one puzzling question. If the police were called at 8:30am to an unconscious female why was the ambulance department not called at the same time. I live in Maryland and when a person calls the police for a sick, injured or unconscious person, the ambulance department is simultaneously dispatched. Who dropped the ball here and was DC Ambulance or Emerg even notified of a sick, injured or unconscious female? If not- that needs to be investigated immediately because I feel some sort of protocol was not followed by the GW Police, DC Police or whoever received the initial phone call.
We were so sad to hear the terrible news, but so proud to read about the joy and inspiration that Laura brought to so many. We offer our prayers from England to the Treanor family and to Laura’s friends. May the Lord comfort them, and may Laura rest in peace.
To Paddy, Anne-Marie, Kevin and Margaret, you are very much in our thoughts and prayers at this very sad time.
To the family of Laura,
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
With deepest and heartfelt sympathy.
Ron and Kathy Crudele
Rhode Island
Dear Pat, Anne-Marie, Kevin and Margaret,
We were shocked and saddened by the news about Laura. May you find find comfort that she was loved by many. We will keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers.
The international alumni of Phi Sigma Sigma were also devastated to hear what has happened. Our hearts go out to the family. Once a Phi Sig, Always a Phi Sig.
I’ve only known Laura since Spring 2008. I hired her as a work study student in the School of Media and Public Affairs. In this short time, she has impressed me with her outstanding work ethics. I am a mother of a teenager, and to see a hard working, goal oriented, charming student like her, I could not stop but wish she was my daughter. Last Christmas, she gave me a box of chocolate, and a big hug before she left for the holidays. She came back the fist week of spring and that was the last day I saw her. We will miss her dearly here at SMPA.
To Laura’s family, Laura is a beautiful story that has been told and that we will keep alive in our hearts.
My deepest sympathy,
Maria George
laura was my next door neighbor… i am 12 years old and i am lauras sisters best friend. laura was practically my sister… i miss her so much and i always will… i <3 you laura… <3
May the Lord Bless you and Keep You.
May you Rest In Peace, beautiful sweet Laura and may Paddy and Anne Marie, Kevin and Margaret be given the grace and strenth to cope with there tragic loss. Reading some of Laura’s artagles I get the sence that she was very much in touch with her God, especially the artical on when she was in the presence of the Holy Father, it was very mooving. I feel she was a kind caring person, Laura inherited this from her Parent’s God comfort you all and ease your suffering, please God Laura Is now a bright angle in Heaven.
i am one of laura’s sister’s best friends and knew laura for 4 years. she was such a wonderful person. she used to babysit me and my siblings, and she would always do things with me nd margaret. rest in peace laura <3 i’ll always miss you! stay strong pat, ann-marie, margaret & kevin. i love you guys!!!
The Hatchet should remove the link on the bottom of the article regarding bars in Foggy Bottom.