Woman who died at Ohio State ID’D
Fell to her death during ’24 graduation
The Franklin County Coroner’s Office has released the name of the woman who fell to her death during Sunday’s spring 2024 commencement at Ohio State University.
Larissa Brady, 53, of Georgia, was pronounced dead at 12:25 p.m. Sunday at the scene outside Ohio Stadium by
Columbus firefighters, the coroner’s office reported Tuesday.
Brady was identified by her fingerprints, the office said.
The coroner’s initial release does not say whether her death was accidental or intentional. Ohio State police do not suspect foul play nor that the fall was the result of an accident, university spokesman Ben Johnson said Tuesday in an emailed statement.
Who is Larissa Brady?
Brady’s daughter was listed as a graduate being honored Sunday with a
bachelor’s degree at Ohio State, according to the university’s 2024 commencement program.
“Ohio State is grieving the death of Larissa Brady, a family member of one of our graduates,” Johnson said via email. “Our hearts go out to her family and friends during this exceptionally difficult time.”
Ohio State and its police department have released little information about the death that occurred during Sunday’s commencement ceremony.
Following the death, the university contacted all graduates and staff who volunteered at graduation to offer counseling services, Johnson told The Dispatch. Students can call 614-292-5766 and press 2 for immediate assistance after hours, while faculty and staff should call 1-800-678-6265, according to the university.
The commencement on Sunday continued uninterrupted as news of the death spread through the crowd.
University officials, commencement speakers — including social entrepreneur and OSU alum Chris Pan — made no reference to the death during the ceremony. Students leaving the graduation ceremony at the stadium walked past the area where Brady fell, which was still cordoned off by yellow crime scene tape.
If you or someone you know needs help, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. mfilby@dispatch.com shendrix@dispatch.com