A wrongful death claim arising out of an apparent murder some six years ago at The College of New Jersey has been settled. The lawsuit has been resolved even though the perpetrator remains at large and unidentified by authorities.
The parents of the 18-year-old victim had sued the college as well as the state for wrongful death, alleging that improper security measures were partially responsible for the tragedy. Wrongdoing was not acknowledged in the $425,000 settlement authorized March 30. A college spokesman said the decision was made to close the matter to avoid the continuing expense and exposure a trial would bring.
The young student went missing in March, 2006. He had apparently gone to sleep in his dorm room after a night of drinking. His blood was found in the trash compacting system at the base of his residence hall several days later. The victim’s body was discovered in a landfill a month later.
Though no one has been arrested for the murder, the family claimed that an unidentified, mentally ill TCNJ graduate was responsible and allegedly had acknowledged in some circumstance that he committed the murder. In suing the school and the state, the family cited lax security, presumably questioning how the suspect student was able permitted access to dormitory areas.
Clearly, no amount of money can console the family for its loss. By settling the wrongful death action, they may feel some small sense of achievement in arguing for increased security in college dorms throughout the state of New Jersey. One can only hope they are able to achieve some closure and the will to carry on.
Source: The Times of Trenton, “Family of College of New Jersey student found dead in Pa. landfill settles lawsuit for $425K,” Erin Duffy, May 7, 2012