<p>It is so very sad when a young person with such a promising future, and a very likable person, has died. The grief his family faces is enormous and I feel so badly for them. I’m sure all his friends are reeling as well. </p>
<p>I do not know the cause of his death and the articles say there is an autopsy being performed. It seems to me that some posts implicate a cause or presumption…unless of course those posters are privy to information that I have not read about. I think it is a shame to presume anything until reliable information is released. A young person could die for many reasons including suicide, physical health, alcohol/drugs, or foul play (though foul play was stated to have been ruled out), etc. I get a sense that some jumped to conclusions when they read “frat” boy and athlete that it is alcohol related. I have no idea but I think jumping to a conclusion when cause of death is unknown is not right. It could be any number of reasons. And if it was alcohol related (I have NO idea), let that information come out first, before insinuation. </p>
<p>As far as his friends not commenting to media, I can understand how that might have happened. The fact that they chose to not comment to media has NO bearing on their not being sympathetic or grieving the loss. I don’t think it is as simple as telling the media, “I am so sad at the loss of this wonderful young man and friend,” because by commenting, then the media will follow up with a question, such as “any thoughts as to how he died?”, “when was he last seen and what was he doing?,” etc. etc. etc. By responding, it opens up that dialogue. I can see that his peers may have been advised to not talk to media since the cause of death was not yet determined and it was not right to speculate or answer media questions, which would be sure to follow a mere expression of sympathy. These friends can express their sympathy in other ways such as at the service (where a media article was published with comments and memories of this young man, appropriately) and privately to family and loved ones. The fact that frat brothers didn’t comment to media who were likely asking probing questions, has no bearing on their feelings of loss or sympathy, which they likely have chosen to share in more appropriate ways with those involved, close to this young man and in services. Since the cause of death was not yet determined, it likely was wise for the peers to not engage in media probes and speculation.</p>
<p>No matter how Chris died, it is surely a great loss and very tragic and sad. Please don’t argue and please don’t use this sympathetic thread as a platform for issues, even if by chance it turns into a non medical cause of death. If it turns out to be one of the ways young adults die frequently…alcohol, drugs, suicide, accidents, etc., then it is another sad death and hopefully a call to other young people of ways to avoid such circumstances in the future. But for now, it is best not to speculate, in due respect, until the official cause of death is known. Perhaps someone here knows it and wasn’t speculating but it appeared to be an “assumption” the way I read some posts.</p>
~berurah</p>