Two Bodies Found in Rice University Dorm Room: Possible Murder-Suicide

Two Bodies Found in Rice University Dorm Room: Possible Murder-Suicide

Two people were found dead in a Rice University dorm room in Houston, the university's president said Monday, in what appears to be a murder-suicide. One was a student living in a Jones College residence, Reginald DesRoches, the college's president, said at a news conference. The other was a man who was not a student at the university and had suffered a gunshot wound, he said. The university identified the student as Andrea Rodriguez Avila, a third-year student. 

She appeared to be romantically involved with the man, said Clemente Rodriguez, the university's police chief. The two were discovered Monday afternoon during a welfare check by Rice University police after a family member said they could not make contact with Ms. Rodriguez Avila, Mr. Rodriguez said. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. It appears that Ms. Rodriguez Avila allowed the man into the apartment building, he added.AdvertisementSO ADVERTISEMENT

The deaths occurred on the first day of school. The university issued a lockdown alert around 5:40 p.m., asking all students to stay in their rooms while police investigated.

The alert was lifted just before 7 p.m. All classes and activities have been canceled for the rest of Monday, the university said on social media.