Police respond to unattended death at Montreat College

Campus grieves ‘profound tragedy’

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
March 24, 2022

Law enforcement responded to an unattended death at Montreat College, March 23. Photo by Fred McCormick

Students, staff and others in the community are grieving, following an unattended death on the campus of Montreat College on the afternoon of March 23. 

Law enforcement responded to a call in Graham Chapel and located the body of an unidentified person, who was reportedly not a student or employee of the college. 

The incident posed no threat to the public and no foul play was suspected, Montreat College stated in a series of updates posted on its website. Students and faculty mostly resumed their regular schedules, March 24, as the college canceled all classes that meet in Gaither Hall, which houses the chapel. Graham Chapel will remain closed indefinitely. 

“Yesterday we experienced a profound tragedy,” Montreat College President Paul Maurer said in a statement responding to the incident. “The death of an individual on our campus deeply affects us all. And while none of us processes or grieves the same way, we need to take time to process and grieve. Please don’t bypass this.”

The college announced a community prayer gathering, led by dean of spiritual formation, Rachel Toone and Joellen Maurer, would be held at 2 p.m., March 24, in the Chapel of the Prodigal. 

“Thank you to all who have joined us in prayer, either on-campus or from afar, as we navigate these difficult days,” Montreat College said in a statement this morning. “Please continue to pray for our community and the family and friends who feel this loss the deepest.”