Galveston
Two University of Texas Medical School students died on campus hours apart in what appeared to be separate incidents that resulted in a mourning call on the small Pelican Island campus Friday.
Within about 14 hours, school officials confirmed that Brandon Perlowski, 23, a cadet at Texas Maritime Academy in Lorena, was missing and later found dead, and that Wesley Jerome Mullerney, 18, a Conroe Marine Biology student, had died in the hospital. dorm.room.
“Right now, we’re still a little shocked,” said university spokeswoman Rebecca Watts.
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“When we lose an Aggie, we all feel it deeply in different ways. We’re an incredibly tight-knit campus community,” Watts said. “Right now we’re just trying to get some fresh air and get our bearings and support each other.”
Perlowski’s disappearance launched an urgent search involving a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter, drones and police dogs combing the undeveloped area north of the Seawolves waterfront.
The university announced at 1 p.m. Friday that researchers had found human remains and called off the search. Officials were still working Friday afternoon to officially identify the remains as Pearl’s.
Perlovsky was last seen alive Wednesday, and concern about him began to grow Thursday after his car was found abandoned on campus.
At about 7:40 p.m., the Galveston Police Department and other agencies were contacted about his disappearance, and other agencies were brought in to help in the search.
About 200 students at the University of Texas Medical School at Galveston also assisted in the investigation, officials said.
Officials did not disclose details about who found Perlowski’s body or other circumstances surrounding his death. A press conference scheduled to brief the media on the search was canceled after the discovery of the remains.
While the search for Perlowski was underway, school officials received a call from Mullerney’s family, concerned that they would not hear from her. Mullerney was found dead in his dorm room in Pacific Hall.
Police did not immediately determine Mallerney’s or Perlowski’s death as suspicious. The Galveston County Medical Examiner’s Office had to perform autopsies on both students to determine the cause of death.
In a statement, Galveston Police Chief Vernon Hale said that Mullerney had previously had an illness that contributed to his death.
No criminal acts were suspected in either death, and he urged the public and the media to respect the privacy of the men’s families.
The Galveston campus has about 1,450 students, most of whom take courses related to the sea. Watts said fewer students are on campus this year because they have the opportunity to take classes virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic
The university said it would offer counseling services to students and staff affected by the deaths. Counseling services were available by calling 409-740-4736 or visiting Building 3030, Suite 104.
Additional information and resources for individuals will be announced in the coming days, the university said.
