By Victoria Hurley-Schubert, Staff Writer
Princeton University Freshman Khristin Kyllo of Vienna, Va., died yesterday in her Forbes College dorm room apparently of natural causes. She was 18.
Ms. Kyllo was found by officers with the university’s Department of Public Safety, who received a call from a Forbes resident shortly after 8 a.m. Princeton Borough police and the Princeton First Aid and Rescue Squad responded after receiving a call from public safety, according to a university report.
Borough police responded to a report of an unresponsive person at Forbes College at 8:03 a.m. yesterday and authorities declared Ms. Kyllo dead at the scene.
”There’s no sign of foul play and it seems to be completely attributed to natural causes at this time,” said Capt. Nicholas Sutter of the Princeton Borough Police Department, who was on scene.
Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office and Mercer County Medical Examiner’s Office all responded as part of procedure and to conduct an investigation.
An autopsy is scheduled for today, said Pete Daly, spokesperson for the medical examiner’s office.
Born July 12, 1992, Ms. Kyllo’s body was discovered by her roommate, said Capt. Sutter.
”It’s tragic,” he said. “Its tragic to see a young life like that go. It really hit home.”
In this type of situation, police will do an investigation to aid in determining the cause of death and to establish a timeline leading up to the death. According to published reports, Ms. Kyllo suffered from seizures, and suffered seizures last year, thought to be brought on by a virus; she was cleared to resume sports in the spring.
The university does not comment about the medical information of its students.
Ms. Kyllo was a member of Princeton’s softball team. She came to Princeton from James Madison High School, where she was a noted athlete on the basketball and softball teams and graduated in 2010, according to university officials.
”I know I speak for our entire university community when I extend my heartfelt sympathy to Khristin’s family, friends and classmates,” said Shirley M. Tilghman, Princeton University president, in a message to the campus community. “When faced with unexpected and untimely losses such as this, we must look to one another for strength and comfort, while reaching out to those whose grief is greatest. Let us also celebrate the many ways in which Khristin made our campus a better place to learn and live, as well as all that she accomplished in her short but vibrant life.”
Counseling is available to students and teachers. A memorial service will be held on campus at a later date. The Office of the Dean of Religious Life hosted a gathering last night for students and other members of the campus community who wished to reflect on Ms. Kyllo’s life, and share their memories of her.
She is survived by her parents, Thomas Kyllo and Julie Kyllo, and her younger brother, Tommy Kyllo.

