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Adam Oakes, 19, was found dead off campus, officials said.
Virginia Commonwealth University said it had closed a fraternity and that police were investigating the death of a freshman over the weekend.
Adam Oakes, 19, was found dead in an off-campus residence early Saturday morning by authorities, the university and the Richmond Police Department said in statements. The medical examiner’s office is working to determine the cause of death, Richmond Police said.
“This is a tragic loss to Adam’s family and members of our community, and we encourage all students in need of support to contact college counseling services,” the school said in a statement.
Oakes’ cousin Courtney White told ABC News the teenager had rushed to college Delta Chi fraternity, and this weekend was the night of her “big little reveal.”
Delta Chi’s national office said in a statement it suspended its VCU chapter on Saturday afternoon and offered condolences to the Oakes family.
“We encourage all members to cooperate with law enforcement, investigative efforts and all directives from the university administration,” the national fraternity organization said in its statement.
The university said it had also taken “similar action” against the chapter.
White, 39, said Oakes was an only child and the youngest of all cousins in the family. She said her cousin got involved with the fellowship because “he was just trying to be accepted and find his place.”
“Adam was a kid who loved life and was just emerging from his shell,” White told ABC News.
The university has asked the students to contact Richmond Police if they have any information regarding Oakes’ death or the incident this weekend. Richmond Police said anyone with information is urged to call Major Crime Detective Michael Gouldman at (804) 646-3915 or contact Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000.
White urged his cousin’s classmates and fellowship members to speak out and help find answers.
“Don’t be afraid, be brave,” she said. “There is no cure for it, but it would give us an idea of what happened.”
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