Lafayette native Connor Simmons of Purdue, 18, “lit up any classroom he was in,” according to a high school friend of the boy who was discovered dead at Wiley Hall on Sunday afternoon
Purdue University spokesman Trevor Peters said, “We can confirm Connor Simmons was a first-year student in exploratory studies. We are saddened any time we experience a student’s death and offer our condolences and support to his family, fellow students, friends and all who are affected.”
Who is Connor Simmons as Purdue University student passes away and what is his cause of death
According to Instagram photos in which age 18 Connor Simmons of Lafayette was tagged, Simmons was a freshman in exploratory studies and a student at Lafayette Central Catholic Jr./Sr. High School. He threw discus and played centre for the school’s football team there.
On Monday evening, friends and family gathered at Lafayette Central Catholic High School to remember the life of Connor Simmons, a Purdue freshman who was found dead at Wiley Residence Hall. pic.twitter.com/A3BacpOorI
— Purdue Exponent (@purdueexponent) October 29, 2024
He was chosen as the homecoming king by his classmates in October of last year.
In addition to football and track, Simmons also enjoyed fishing and golfing, said a friend, who told the Exponent he had known Simmons since seventh grade but wished to remain anonymous.
Lafayette Central Catholic Junior-Senior High School posted on its Facebook page that Simmons was a 2024 graduate and held a vigil at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28 at Central Catholic, 2410 S. Ninth St. in Lafayette.
Preliminary autopsy results from Monday’s procedure are pending which include Simmons’ manner of death and cause of death. Toxicology reports will take up to eight weeks to be completed but forensic pathologist found no significant trauma or injuries during the autopsy with no foul play suspected. A cause of death is yet to be revealed.
A vigil has been scheduled for Connor Simmons, the student found dead in Wiley Residence Hall. It will be held at Central Catholic Jr./Sr. High School, 2410 S. 9th Street, Lafayette, at 6:30 p.m. tonight.
— Purdue Exponent (@purdueexponent) October 28, 2024
Other related incidents
On Friday, October 25, 2024, a California man who killed his former classmate after accusing her of causing his expulsion from school was given a life sentence without the chance of release.
In August 23-year-old Owen Skyler Shover was convicted of murder in relation to the 2019 killing of his former classmate Aranda Briones, who was 16 years old.
Her remains have never been located. According to the authorities, Aranda chose to skip class and spend time at a nearby park with pals, including Shover. According to a prosecutor’s trial brief that media was able to access, the group left the location after being noticed by a sheriff’s school resource officer.
After seeing her throw the firearm, the school resource officer took her into custody. She acknowledged to authorities and school officials during interrogation that Shover owned the weapon.
According to the trial brief, both students were later expelled in February 2018 for the incident.
According to the brief, authorities stated that Aranda was last seen on January 13, 2019, getting into a car with Shover and leaving.
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