Authorities identify body found on Amherst College’s campus

Officials said Friday that the body found on the Amherst College campus has been identified as that of a student at the school. The Northwestern District Attorney’s office said in a statement Friday that no foul play is suspected in the death of 20-year-old Christopher Collins. His body was found early Thursday morning. The school said in a statement that Collins was a member of the Class of 2020. “His family has now been notified and we have extended our deepest sympathies to them,” the college said. “There are no words to express the sorrow that we feel or the tragedy that this is. At this time, the Medical Examiner has not provided us with any information about the cause of death.”College President Biddy Martin informed the school community of the 20-year-old’s death in an email Thursday evening and said his body was found between the Morris Pratt Dormitory and Arms Music Center, according to The Amherst Student.  The death of the 20-year-old is the second unexpected death of an Amherst College student in March. Earlier this month, senior Andrew Dorogi died in Mexico City. The cause and circumstances of his death have not been disclosed by officials.“The cumulative effect of two student deaths in so short a time will make Chris’ death, indeed, both losses, even harder on the community,” Martin wrote to the school, according to the Student. “It is important that we turn to one another for comfort and strength, that we avoid isolation, and that each of us look out for the people we know or encounter.”According to the college newspaper, classes between noon and 1 p.m. were canceled Friday for a community-wide gathering in Collins’ honor at Johnson Chapel. “In this moment, our community needs to come together and offer support to one another,” Amherst said in a statement. “There are a variety of resources and several planned gatherings for students, faculty and staff over the next several days and weeks to help us begin the process of dealing with our shock and grief over this terrible loss. Our deepest sympathies go out to Chris’ family and friends, and to our entire community. When a member of the community dies suddenly and tragically, none of us is left untouched.”