The Kirksville Police Department is investigating after an 18-year-old from St. Peters was found dead at the Alpha Kappa Lambda Fraternity at Truman State University.
The body of Joshua Thomas was found at the Alpha Kappa Lambda house on the campus Truman State University in Kirksville on Thursday morning.
For the third time in less than a year, a Missouri fraternity is mourning the death of one of its own.
Kirksville police say it will take at least six weeks for an official ruling on the cause of his death.
Authorities confirmed to Five on Your Side that the preliminary manner of death appears to be suicide. Toxicology tests are pending.
Thomas is a St. Peters native. He was a junior business administration major.
His death is the third suicide reported at the fraternity in about eight months.
Last August, two sophomores and AKL members, Alex Mullins and Jacob Hughes, took their own lives 20 days apart.
University and fraternity leaders said they are cooperating and working together to implement immediate strategies and a future course of action.
Counseling services are available on campus.
Truman State University statement
“The University community was greatly saddened to learn of the death of Joshua “Josh” Thomas and extends its sympathy to his family and friends.
Staff members from Student Affairs, University Counseling Services and Greek Life are coordinating internal and external resources to help students and all members of the Truman community affected by the loss.
The University is also working with Alpha Kappa Lambda national officers and fraternity alumni to help members of the fraternity cope during this difficult time.
The Kirksville Police Department is coordinating the investigation and it will take at least 6 weeks for them to make an official ruling on the cause of death.’
