The body of a University of Connecticut student has been recovered by campus police.
Tianyin Shang, 19, was found Monday in Mirror Lake on the Storrs campus, according to school officials.
The news came as students returned to classes on the first day of the spring semester.
“My heart goes out to Tianyin’s family and friends,” said University of Connecticut President Tom Katsouleas in a statement. “I want to thank our public safety, [International Student & Scholar Services] and Student Affairs staff who are working hard to provide direct support to her family and all those who have been affected by this terrible loss.”
Shang, an international student from Shanghai, China, was a junior studying applied mathematics.
“Last night, my colleagues and I spent time with her friends and we will continue to reach out to those who knew Tianyin best,” said Eleanor J.B. Daugherty, UConn’s associate vice president of Student Affairs. “I have learned that Tianyin, or Skyine as she was known to her friends, was proud of her Chinese heritage, excelled in math, was a friend to many in her residential community, and a rising star on the UConn Western Equestrian Team.”
She was found by first responders and then taken to Windham Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
School officials haven’t released details on what happened, but they believe there was no foul play.
The state medical examiner will investigate the cause of death.
In the wake of the tragedy, UConn is offering counseling services to help grieving students.
