Princeton student Khristin Kyllo dies of apparent natural causes

Khristin Kyllo

Khristin Kyllo

Photo courtesy of Forbes College

Freshman Khristin Kyllo of Vienna, Va., died Jan. 13 in her Forbes College dorm room apparently of natural causes. She was 18.

Kyllo was found by officers with the University's Department of Public Safety, who received a call from a Forbes resident shortly after 8 a.m. Princeton Borough Police and the Princeton First Aid and Rescue Squad responded after receiving a call from public safety.

In a message to the campus community, Princeton President Shirley M. Tilghman said, "I know I speak for our entire University community when I extend my heartfelt sympathy to Khristin's family, friends and classmates. When faced with unexpected and untimely losses such as this, we must look to one another for strength and comfort, while reaching out to those whose grief is greatest. Let us also celebrate the many ways in which Khristin made our campus a better place to learn and live, as well as all that she accomplished in her short but vibrant life."

A memorial service will be held on campus at a later date, but the Office of the Dean of Religious Life will host a gathering at 8 p.m. Jan. 13 in Murray-Dodge Hall for students and other members of the campus community who wish to reflect on Kyllo's life, and share their memories of her.

Kyllo was a member of Princeton's softball team. She came to Princeton from James Madison High School, where she was a noted athlete on the basketball and softball teams and graduated in 2010.

She is survived by her parents, Thomas Kyllo and Julie Kyllo, and her younger brother, Tommy Kyllo.

Counselors have been and continue to be made available to students, and Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS) is offering two drop-in locations for students who are seeking support -- one in the third-floor lounge at McCosh Health Center on Washington Road, and the other in the small dining room connected to the main dining room at Forbes College.

The University offers a full range of student support services, and students who would like to speak with counselors are encouraged to call (609) 258-3285 to reach a counselor. University Health Services is open 24 hours daily, and clinicians at CPS are available from 8:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. After hours and on weekends, a counselor is available on call to respond to urgent needs and can be reached by calling (609) 258-3139. Pastoral counseling also is available through the Office of Religious Life.

For University employees seeking counseling, services are available through Carebridge, which offers employee assistance and work/life programs.