PURCHASE, N.Y. – A freshman at a private suburban college who grew up on the campus as the daughter of a maintenance worker was found dead in staff housing, and police on Tuesday characterized it as a homicide that was a family matter.
Harrison police Capt. Anthony Marraccini said investigators were "not actively seeking a suspect" in Monday's killing at Manhattanville College. He would not elaborate except to say it was a "family matter."
The college identified the student as Marissa Pagli, 18, a freshman volleyball player at the school in Purchase, about 27 miles northeast of Manhattan.
The student's mother was found unconscious when the girl was found dead, and was hospitalized, said Peter Giles, a college spokesman. Police said they had been in contact with the father, a maintenance supervisor at the school, but would not disclose his whereabouts. Marraccini would not say if either parent was a suspect.
Marraccini, the acting police chief, said he was awaiting autopsy results before revealing cause of death or other findings.
Officials said the campus is safe and classes were being held as scheduled.
President Molly Easo Smith said Pagli "grew up on our campus and many of our staff and faculty knew her long before she enrolled."
The college is a liberal arts school of about 3,000 students. Full-time, full-price undergraduate students pay about $45,000 a year for tuition and room and board.
Giles said grief counseling was available to students on Tuesday. Smith said the college was welcoming suggestions for how to honor Pagli.
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