Police: 22-year-old ASU student found dead in apartment

BOONE, N.C. — Boone police said a 22-year-old student was found dead in his residence Wednesday.

Grayson Charles Huffman was a student at Appalachian State University.

Huffman lived on Oak Street.

Police said there is no indication of foul play at this time.

The investigation is ongoing. Graduate student Colleen Looney could see police and paramedics outside the apartment on Oak Street just off campus. "It's a little unnerving. I can't say too much about it because I don't know the circumstances, but it is unsettling,” Looney said.

Investigators at the Boone Police department don't know how Huffman died but said they don't suspect foul play. They have worked three of the four death cases in Boone this fall and say there is not a link between any of the students or the cases except their age.

"We're very concerned as well.  It is heartbreaking when a student dies.   What we want students to know if they're suffering from depression or any other type of issue like alcohol or drugs   There is help available,” said Capt. Andy LeBeau with Boone police.

Channel 9 spoke briefly with the parents of Huffman and they told us more needs to be done.  The university said the chancellor sent a message to all the students here with a link to information for help in challenging times.

Investigators met with two of the families Wednesday. They are awaiting toxicology test in at least two of the cases, but said that could take anywhere from six to eight weeks.

John Leonard, who is a junior, said the cases have shaken the community.

"Anytime you hear about a death in the community especially a student, instantly you're just like it is definitely sad,” he said.

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