A graduate student in Ohio University’s Patton College of Education and Human Services died late Monday night.
Terrie Jean Hitchings, a second-year graduate student pursuing her master’s in computer education and technology, was found dead in her apartment in The Plains, Athens County Sheriff Pat Kelly said. She was 50 years old.
Hitchings was born in Lancaster on March 17, 1961, according to an obituary provided by the Souers-Cardaras Funeral Home.
Kelly received a call from the Athens County 911 Emergency Communications center at about 10 p.m. Monday night.
The center is required to call him about any deaths in the county, he said.
Kelly does not suspect foul play in Hitchings’ death and said he believes the death was most likely caused by “health problems.”
The Athens County Coroner’s Office performed an autopsy yesterday but does not yet have a cause of death.
“The preliminary autopsy results were negative and did not show any abnormalities,” Athens County Coroner Harold Thompson said.
He added that there were no unusual markings on Hitchings’ body.
The coroner will perform toxicology tests on Hitchings’ body, but results might not be available for up to eight weeks, Thompson said.
“The office of the dean of students is saddened to have received notice today about the loss of one our students,” Dean of Students Ryan Lombardi said in a statement. “Our condolences go out to her family and friends.”
Hitchings graduated from Nelsonville-York High School in 1981, according to her LinkedIn profile.
Hitchings’ family declined to comment on her death.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at the Souers-Cardaras Funeral Home, 46 Fayette St., in Nelsonville, according to the obituary.
af234909@ohiou.edu
