Orange Coast College student found dead in campus housing, officials say ‘no foul play’ involved

An Orange Coast College student found dead Tuesday at the newly built dormitory, the Harbour, has been identified as an 18-year-old woman from Costa Mesa.

Amonie Denise Palmer died Tuesday morning at 10:46 a.m. The cause of death is still under investigation, but an official with the Orange County coroner’s office said no visible signs of trauma were apparent.

The Coast Report, OCC’s on-campus newspaper, broke the news of Palmer’s death online Tuesday, although her identity was not yet being released to the public. In an initial statement to the school community Tuesday, OCC President Angelica Suarez confirmed the student had been living in the dormitory.

“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,” Suarez said, indicating Palmer’s family had been notified. “Our hearts and thoughts go out to the student’s family and friends.”

A follow-up posting from Coast Report’s Taz McGill included a statement from Suarez assuring the incident presented no threat to campus security or student safety.

“Please know that, at this time, no foul play is suspected in the death of our student residing at the Harbour,” Suarez stated to families in an email Tuesday night. “We ask that everyone respect the privacy of the family while authorities complete their investigation.”

Requests for comment from college representatives, including Suarez, were not immediately returned Wednesday.

Erica Arellano, a supervising deputy coroner with the Orange County coroner’s office on Wednesday confirmed Palmer’s identity and the fact she died on the Costa Mesa campus. The cause of death was unknown pending an autopsy and toxicology report, but there were no signs of trauma, Arellano said.

The newly constructed 323-unit 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.

The Coast Report said OCC’s Student Health Center would be providing counseling services to students in need via phone or text at (714) 432-6858.

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