Officials identify student found dead in Prucha Hall
April 7, 2011
The female student who was found dead Thursday morning in Prucha Hall has been identified as Freshman Kersten Janel Greene, 19, from Eau Claire, Wis., according to River Falls Police Sgt. Jon Aubart.
Greene’s friend found her in her dorm room after she didn’t answer her cell phone and was late for their appointment for coffee. Upon finding Greene, she immediately called 911, Aubart said.
Greene’s family was notified some time yesterday in person by the Eau Claire Police Department.
Greene’s body was taken to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s office for post-mortem tests and analysis to discern the cause or manner of death. The findings will be released to the Pierce County Medical Examiner, which could take several days or weeks, Aubart said.
There was no outward sign of trauma or injury to Greene’s body, Aubart said.
The RFPD will continue following up with the case and conducting background interviews to rebuild the case, Aubart added.
Greene’s family told Aubart that she had been in a car crash some time ago and was prescribed to prescription medications. This aspect of the case, along with several others, remains fuzzy, Aubart said.
The only thing that Aubart remains certain about is that there is no concern for the safety of the students at UW-River Falls.
Greene was majoring in health and human performance and was a member of the women’s rugby team on campus.
A funeral service is pending at Lenmark Gomsrud Linn funeral home in Eau Claire, Wis.
A meeting was planned for university staff at 3 p.m. Thursday, said Special Assistant to the Chancellor Blake Fry. Students living in Prucha were notified shortly after the death was reported. The primary concern of the meeting is to figure out how to deal with the death in the best way possible, such as
counseling students closest to her.
Residence Life and Counseling Services staff have offered assistance to members of the campus community, including a meeting with residents of Prucha Hall held Thursday evening.
Prucha Hall, located in the west area of campus near Hagestad Hall, is a three-story all female residence hall that houses around 200 students.