A Texas high school abruptly canceled classes on the fourth day of school after staff found a student’s body hanging from a tree on campus Thursday morning, police said in a press conference.
“It is with great sadness that we share that one of our 11th-grade students was found deceased on our campus this morning,” the Austin Independent School District announced on X.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through a heartbreaking situation. It is with great sadness that we share that one of our 11th-grade students was found deceased on our campus this morning. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
— Austin ISD (@AustinISD) August 17, 2023
According to Austin ISD Police Chief Wayne Sneed, two staff members hailed an AIC officer after finding the young woman’s body hanging from a tree near the rear of Travis Early College High School around 7:39 a.m.
School officials contacted police officers, who arrived with EMS and pronounced the female victim dead around 7:55 a.m.
Early that morning, the only students on campus were those involved in extracurricular activities, like band, and those waiting on the school buses. School officials had bus drivers return students home, and they made pickup arrangements for students already in the school.
Students who were already on buses will be returned home. For students already on campus, we are coordinating transportation back home.
— Austin ISD (@AustinISD) August 17, 2023
Sneed confirmed scholars on campus didn’t see the crime scene since it was in the rear of the school. He also said no student was in the crime scene’s area. Emergency personnel acted quickly to prevent students from seeing anything.
Travis ECHS also canceled school on Friday, Aug. 18, but opened the counseling center to students and staff members needing support.
“Our hearts go out to her family and friends during this extremely difficult time,” Austin ISD posted on X.
Our hearts go out to her family and friends during this extremely difficult time. She was found before most students arrived and to our knowledge, no students encountered the situation. Austin ISD police closed off the areas, and we sent all students home for the day.
— Austin ISD (@AustinISD) August 17, 2023
Authorities haven’t identified the victim and can’t confirm that her hanging from a tree was the cause of death until autopsy results come out.
