2 Orange Coast College students found dead in on-campus residences within 24-hour period

Orange Coast College officials confirmed Wednesday two students have been found dead in separate dormitory units on the Costa Mesa campus within a 24-hour period, the apparent victims of unrelated drug overdoses, according to a college spokesman.

An 18-year-old student, identified by the Orange County coroner’s office as Amonie Denise Palmer of Costa Mesa was discovered unresponsive inside her room Tuesday morning at the Harbour, a new residence opened to students this fall.

Supervising Deputy Coroner Erica Arellano on Wednesday confirmed Palmer’s identity and noted the time of death as 10:46 a.m. Tuesday, shortly after paramedics were called to the scene. A cause of death is unknown, as an autopsy and toxicology report are still pending, but Arellano said there were no signs of trauma.

Orange Coast College President Angelica Suarez broke the news of Palmer’s death to students, faculty and staff on Tuesday.

“It is with a heavy heart that I share with you the news that a student residing at the Harbor student housing has passed away,” she wrote. “Our hearts and thoughts go out to the student’s family and friends.”

Later that evening, Suarez assured families that circumstances surrounding the incident did not pose a threat to campus security or student safety.

“Please know that, at this time, no foul play is suspected” she wrote in a second email. “We ask that everyone respect the privacy of the family while authorities complete their investigation.”

When reached Wednesday afternoon for a comment, OCC spokesman Juan Gutierrez said officials had learned of a second student death early Wednesday morning, which also occurred in a residential unit inside the Harbour.

A male student — identified as 33-year-old Robert Stell — was found unresponsive inside his room at around 10:57 a.m. Wednesday, according to the coroner’s office. Arellano said a coroner’s estimate places the time of Stell’s death at around 12:40 a.m. Tuesday.

Stell’s body was found about 24 hours after Palmer was discovered by a roommate. Gutierrez said both incidents are under investigation but that officials suspect drugs may have been involved.

Gutierrez, who’s worked on the campus since 2014, said he cannot recall any previous student deaths occurring on campus in his tenure but did say there hasn’t ever been an on-campus housing until this school year.

The newly constructed 814-bed housing development opened its doors to students this fall, although most of Orange Coast’s courses continue to be conducted online due to the coronavirus pandemic. Gutierrez estimated Wednesday that, due to the pandemic and students’ being let out of their leases, the Harbour was operating under 50% capacity.

School officials are encouraging students who may be in need of mental health support or addiction counseling to contact OCC’s Student Health Center, which will be providing services via phone or text at (714) 432-6858.

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