Three VCU students pass away unexpectedly, two from fatal falls
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Three VCU students passed away unexpectedly within a week of each other.
First-year dentistry student Benjamin Sykes and senior engineering student Christopher Ducic both suffered fatal falls over Halloween weekend in unrelated accidents.
Michael Porter, interim director of VCU public affairs, said the Richmond Police are conducting investigations of both incidents.
According to Susan Rowland, a public affairs specialist for the Richmond Police, at approximately 11:55 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30, officers were called to the area of S. 14th and Dock streets for a report of a person walking on the elevated railroad tracks.
“A few minutes later, witnesses reported the man had fallen. The victim was identified as Benjamin G. Sykes, 25, of the 15000 block of Carlbern Drive in Centreville,” Rowland said in an email.
Shortly before 1:15 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1, Rowland said officers working on Canal Street were flagged down in reference to a person down in the roadway.
“Officers located an adult male, who was unconscious and not breathing, in the 100 block of E. Canal Street. The victim – Christopher J. Ducic, 21, of the 00 block of E. Canal Street – was pronounced dead at the scene,” Rowland stated in an email.
Following an autopsy, Rowland said the medical examiner determined Ducic’s death to be accidental, also stemming from a fall.
“He didn’t come home this weekend,” said Shannon Wright, a senior communication arts major who works for the Student Media Center. Wright said she and Ducic were friends since elementary school.
“I’ve just been crying a lot. People from back at home and family have been texting and calling me non-stop trying to figure out what’s going on and what happened,” Wright said.
“Chris was one of the most intelligent people I’ve ever met, and he buried none of it,” said Shannon Minnich, a senior at Christopher Newport University who was also close with Ducic in high school. “He was generous and kind, taking time out of his days and nights to help teach his friends and classmates.”
Minnich said her friend also had an innate ability to make anyone laugh, regardless of his or her sense of humor; his bright smile was contagious; on any given Monday or dreary morning, he would walk into the cafeteria and lift spirits with his presence; his propensity to love others was exceptional.
“Most significantly, Chris ensured that every single person he came into contact with felt included,” Minnich said. “Throughout the tough transitions of middle and high school, Chris Ducic’s capability to remind you of your personal value was unmatched.”
Interim vice provost for student affairs Charles Klink sent an email to the VCU community Monday afternoon addressing Sykes and Ducic’s passing.
Klink’s email also stated Lisa Rubi, a recent transfer into the College of Humanities and Sciences, was killed in an automobile accident on Oct. 28 in Poquoson, Virginia.
The Daily reported that Rubi was killed in a single-vehicle accident early on the morning of Oct. 25, according to a release from the Virginia State Police.
Klink said the university has been in contact with the schools and those who are close to the students to make them aware of available university resources that provide support.
Free university resources include:
The Wellness Resource Center
815 S. Cathedral Place
(804) 828-9355
Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
VCU Counseling Services on Monroe Park Campus
University Student Commons, Room 238
907 Floyd Ave.
(804) 828-6200
Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
VCU Counseling Services on MCV Campus
Grant House, B011
1008 E. Clay St.
(804) 828-3964
Monday: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Wednesday: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Tuesday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- For an emergency after hours, please call VCU Police dispatch at (804) 828-1234 and ask to speak to a therapist.
“We are deeply saddened by these losses and our condolences go out to the students’ families and friends. Your thoughtful efforts to support those impacted by these tremendous losses are deeply appreciated,” Klink said.
Executive Editor, Sarah King
Sarah is a junior in the honors college studying political science and philosophy of law. Last spring, Sarah worked as an editorial intern for “CQ Researcher” and “SAGE Business Researcher” in Washington, D.C. Her independent work has been published on platforms including the Huffington Post, RVA Magazine and alongside her peers at Harvard, Brown and Columbia on knowyourix.org. Sarah’s primary nutrient is Redbull. // Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn