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Student, 22, dies in fall

Lucy Crespo da Silva, a 22-year-old senior, fell to her death Sunday night from her room on the 14th floor of Westgate.

Campus Police are treating the death as a suicide based on a note in the room.

"This is a great tragedy for her friends and family," said Dean for Student Life Larry Benedict. "We extend our deepest sympathies to them."

A memorial service is being planned for Miss Crespo da Silva, a native of Brazil who was to graduate this fall with a degree in earth, atmospheric and planetary sciences.

She planned to start graduate work in the subject in February. She played forward on the women's varsity ice hockey team and was a longtime resident of MacGregor House, where she served as rush chair.

Katia Pashkevitch, coach of the hockey team, said the team was stunned to hear of her death. "There are a lot of flowers and candles in the locker room," she said. "We are going to put her number 9 on our shirts in memory of her."

She is survived by her parents, who now live in Albany, NY. They were informed Sunday night of her death.

Help available

MIT offers extensive counseling and support services through the Dean's Office, the Medical Department, student peer counseling, housemasters (faculty or staff), and graduate resident tutors in dorms and other living groups. A psychiatrist is on call around the clock (call x3-2916 any time of the day or night for emergency care). The dean on call is also available at any time and can be contacted through the Campus Police at x3-1212.

A version of this article appeared in MIT Tech Talk on November 22, 2000.

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