Boyfriend charged after freshman found dead in Pa. university dorm

The boyfriend of a student found dead in a central Pennsylvania university dormitory room has been charged with aggravated assault.

Police say 19-year-old Gregorio Orrostieta told them that he shoved Millersville University freshman 18-year-old Karlie Hall, resulting in her falling to the ground and hitting her head on a chair. Orrostieta then gave her a "back hand" to the face causing her to become unresponsive, the affidavit said.

Police say they found Hall unresponsive around 5:20 a.m. on Sunday while responding to a cardiac arrest call. When they arrived, Orrostieta was covered in blood and performing CPR. NBC Philadelphia reported that officials did not immediately reveal an exact cause of death but said Hall died under suspicious circumstances.

According to the affidavit, Orrostieta told officers that he and Hall, had argued a few hours earlier at a party where she hit him. He said they made up and returned to the dorm room around 1:30 a.m.

Hall was a freshman from Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. Orrostieta, of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, did not attend the university in Lancaster County.

Dr. John M. Anderson, president of the university, called Hall’s death “unfathomable” and issued a statement that counseling staff and campus ministries would be available on campus to talk to students who need assistance.

Orrostieta was arraigned Monday on an aggravated assault charge and jailed in lieu of $1.5 million bail. He was not available for comment and information on his lawyer was not immediately available.

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Feb. 19.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.