Coroner: Lafayette College student died of blunt force head injuries

Walter Perez Image
Tuesday, September 19, 2017
Coroner: Lafayette student died of blunt force head trauma
Coroner: Lafayette student died of blunt force head trauma. Walter Perez reports during Action News at 4 p.m. on September 13, 2017.

EASTON, Pa. (WPVI) -- The Lehigh County coroner released new details about a Lafayette College student's cause of death, but many questions remain.

Investigation underway into death of Lafayette College student. Walter Perez reports during Action News at 5pm on September 12, 2017.

McCrae Williams, 19, died of blunt force head injuries, Coroner Scott Grim said on Wednesday. However, there was no indication as to how Williams suffered those injuries.

Grim said a manner of death has not been determined, pending the investigation and toxicology results.

Williams, 19, was found unconscious outside a dorm at Lafayette College on Sunday afternoon. He passed away about 24 hours later at Lehigh Valley Hospital with his parents by his side.

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Investigators said on Tuesday that Williams' death was the end result of a chain of events that culminated with some kind of medical emergency.

"We lost a young student here at Lafayette, but the details surrounding this are not clear yet," said District Attorney John Morganelli on Tuesday.

Williams was a standout lacrosse player from Massachusetts.

College president Alison Byerly released a statement reading, in part, "Losing a member of the Class of 2021 is a heartbreaking start to the year for our newest students in particular. I hope that the support of the community will be helpful to all at this very sad time."

We spoke with a few students here at Lafayette who say they are shocked and saddened.

Vigil for Lafayette College student. Jim Gardner reports during Action News at 11 p.m. on September 12, 2017.

"It's a shame that we lose a member of our community," said senior Darrin Quinn.

"It's absolutely awful involved and not involved, but as a community we definitely always rally together," said senior Rebecca Bender.

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