Junior found dead in Next House
Investigation ongoing; police say no danger to community
Source: Facebook
Brian G. Anderson ’13 was found dead in his third floor Next House dormitory room by MIT Campus Police slightly before noon yesterday. He was 21.
Anderson was found dead when campus police were called to do a well-being check at Next House late yesterday morning. The Cambridge Police Department and his family were notified. The Massachusetts State Police and the Middlesex District Attorney are conducting an investigation, according to the MIT News Office. The MIT Police reported that “there is no imminent danger to the MIT community.”
“Questions will naturally arise about the circumstances of this death,” said MIT Chancellor Eric Grimson PhD ’80 in a statement through the News Office. “In order to get complete answers, we must allow time for the authorities to conduct their investigation. I encourage everyone to refrain from speculation. At this early stage, there is no strong indication that Brian’s death was the result of suicide.”
Anderson is the third MIT student found dead in under six months. Nicolas E. Del Castillo ’14 was found dead in September, and Satto Tonegawa ’15 died in October. Both were deemed suicides.
“What I hope we will all do is take the time to strengthen the bonds of community,” Grimson added in an email to students. “Reach out to your friends, your peers in class or student groups, or your neighbors in a dormitory or living group. If people you know seem upset or distracted or stressed, please reach out: offer to talk, offer to connect them with staff who can help them deal with this trauma, offer to share your own support.”
Anderson came from Redwood Falls, MN, where he attended Redwood Valley Senior High School. He was a Course 15 (Management) major.
A member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity, which was disbanded last year, Anderson was also an member of MIT’s wrestling team since his freshman year, when the team won the 2010 National Collegiate Wrestling Association (NCWA) Division II National Championship.
Members of the community who feel affected by this death are encouraged to contact Mental Health Services at 617-253-2916, or talk to their housemasters or GRTs.