Brooklyn Teen Found Dead In Cornell Frat House

Jen Chung

Published Feb 28, 2011

Modified Feb 28, 2011

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Jen Chung

Published Feb 28, 2011

Modified Feb 28, 2011

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A sophomore at Cornell University was found dead in a fraternity house on the Ithaca school's campus last Friday. George Desdunes, 19, was found unresponsive in his bed at the frat house on Friday morning and was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. The investigation into his death is continuing, but suicide is not suspected and a sheriff told the AP that alcohol consumption may have been a factor.

President David Skorton said in a statement, "I understand there will be speculation about the causes of this terrible tragedy. Once [the investigation] is complete and we have all the available facts, we will inform the community and share decisions regarding the appropriate course of action."

Desdunes, who was from Brooklyn, was a biology major. His aunt said to the Post, "He always walked with a smile on his face. Everything he did was spectacular." And the president of his frat, Sigma Alpha Epilson, Eric Barnum, told the Cornell Daily Sun, “He could cheer you up no matter what."

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brooklyn

Cornell

frat house

fraternity

george desdunes

ithaca

sigma alpha epilson