On Sunday morning, police discovered a dead Bowdoin College student in a parking lot close to the Frank J. Wood Bridge in Topsham.
According to a press release from Topsham police chief Marc Hagan, officers were called to the parking lot, which is being used to store equipment for the current bridge construction, shortly after 7 a.m. to investigate a report of a deceased person. The guy was identified by the chief as a 20-year-old Californian student at the local college.
Police stated they are awaiting the findings of an autopsy performed by the state medical examiner’s office. The cause and manner of death were not disclosed in the release. Hagan stated that although the inquiry is ongoing, there isn’t a current threat to the neighbourhood.
Hagan stated in the statement, “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the deceased’s family and friends as well as the Bowdoin College Community.”
In order to give friends and family enough notice, the department stated in the release that it is not disclosing the woman’s identity at this time. But according to a statement written to the university community on Sunday by Bowdoin President Safa Zaki, student Qingyang Zhan, also known as K, passed away last night while off campus. Zaki expressed her amazement and heartbreak.
Zhan was born in Shanghai and has been residing in the US since 2019, according to Zaki. Before coming to Bowdoin in the autumn of 2021 to pursue a double major in government, she completed her studies in California.
as well as Asian studies and legal studies. According to Zaki, Zhan played the piano and guitar in the Bowdoin Concert Band, was a learning assistant, and assisted in starting the Chinese Students Association. She was also involved in the Asian Student Association. She was “a student who was deeply interested in the most important theological and philosophical questions,” according to her academic supervisor.
In the letter, Zaki said, “Faculty members describe K as a bright and engaging presence, and many will remember her warmth and kindness.”
On Sunday night, students could get help from counsellors and student affairs professionals at the Moulton Union. The college also encouraged students to get help via telehealth support and extended counselling hours this week. Zaki remarked There would be a memorial service on campus.
“Words truly cannot express how devastating this loss is for our community,” Zaki remarked. “I know you’re with me in sending K’s family our sincere condolences.”
