Student found dead in dorm room

A Kutztown University graduate student from the Midwest was found dead the night of Nov. 12 in her residence hall room on campus, officials said.

Campus police responded shortly after 9 p.m. to Dixon Hall after resident assistants conducted a welfare check on Hannah M. Varn, 31, of Marion, Iowa, because her family reported they had not heard from her in about a week, authorities said. The resident assistants called campus police after finding her dead, according to state police.

Troopers from the Reading station responded after university police called them for help in the investigation.

Troopers said they do not consider the death to be suspicious nor do they believe students are in danger.

Berks County Deputy Coroner Sarah Shivers pronounced

Varn dead at 10:50 p.m.An autopsy was planned for Sunday, Nov. 15, (after press deadline) in Reading Hospital to determine the cause of death, Acting Coroner Jonn M. Hollenbach said.

University spokesman Matthew Santos said Varn was a graduate student majoring in arts administration. She was in her first semester.

He said the university sent out a message to the student body that counselors are available.

Plans were being made for a vigil in Varn’s honor.

Santos thanked the campus and state police and investigators from the district attorney’s office and coroner’s office for the swift and thorough response.

“At this time our thoughts and prayers remain with Hannah’s family and friends and with the entire KU community during this difficult time,” Santos said.