Amarelis Bracero, Executive Editor
A week after the death of 20-year-old Electrical Engineering student Albert Roman, the Northern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office has not yet publicly released an official cause of death.
Roman was found by the Parking Garage on last Tuesday morning by a university employee, student eyewitnesses say. It is believed that he fell to his death from the top of the 8-story parking garage, but it is not known if the fall was accidental or self-inflicted.
As stated in an e-mail sent last week from The Office of Student Affairs, no findings of foul play are expected. Attorney General spokesman Paul Loriquet attributed the delay in ruling to toxicology reports. The Attorney General’s office has no reason to believe there was any criminal activity involved.
In an interview on Monday, Kathy Carter, a spokeswoman for the County Prosecutor’s office, which would be called in the event of a crime, said the prosecutor is not involved in the investigation.
As the university waits for an official cause of death, The Vector would like to remind the NJIT community of the various sorts of mental health counseling available.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, do not think you are alone. There is help available. The Jed Foundation, an organization dedicated to promoting emotional health and preventing suicide, has various websites dedicated to protecting the mental health of college students. Aside from its own website (jedfoundation.org), the Foundation also has a partnered website with MTV U (halfofus.com) and a website designed specifically for college students struggling with mental health or who have friends in need of help (ulifeline.org).
If you need to speak with someone immediately, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours, 7 days a week at 1 (800) 273-8255.
On campus, if you are in need of help, please reach out to the Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (C-CAPS) at (973) 596-3414 in Campbell Hall, Room 205.