Cornell confirms 2 most recent bridge deaths were suicides; total now 6 this academic year

Cornell confirms 2 bridge deaths were suicides

ITHACA, N.Y. — Cornell University officials say two fatal plunges from bridges this month have been ruled suicides.

The confirmation Wednesday brings the number of Cornell students who have killed themselves this academic year to six.

The body of 19-year-old sophomore William Sinclair of Chevy Chase, Md., was recovered March 11 from one of the gorges bounding the Ivy League campus.

That was a day before 21-year-old junior Matthew Zika of Lafayette, Ind., jumped from a bridge into the rushing waters of a gorge. His body has not been found.

Cornell spokeswoman Claudia Wheatley says medical authorities ruled on the suicides. The deaths followed another fatal leap last month and three suicides last semester.

Despite the string of deaths, Cornell maintains its suicide rate over time is normal for colleges.