A first-year student at Harvard Medical School (HMS) died in the bathroom of the school's Countway Library Thursday, in what is being called an apparent suicide, HMS employees and police officials confirmed.
Luz Angelica Chavez, who had recently moved with her husband from California to Boston, died of a gunshot wound to her head. Her body was discovered by a librarian shortly before 10:30 a.m. Thursday.
Aside from a small memorial to Chavez in the main lobby, activities at the library had returned to normal on Friday, but the atmosphere on campus was one of saddened disbelief.
As the HMS flag flew at half-staff, class schedules were disrupted and stunned students spoke in hushed tones of the apparent suicide, the first HMS has seen in eight years.
"This is the type of thing that makes everyone reflect about their own lives," said an HMS first-year who refused to be identified.
Boston police said an autopsy was performed Friday, but the results will not be available until today. Pending the report, Chavez's death has not yet been ruled a suicide.
The death was particularly surprising to acquaintances of Chavez, who described her as a friendly woman who was always quick with a smile.
"No students or faculty recognized any warning signs," said HMS spokesperson Don Gibbons.
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