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  • UNT student found dead in Mozart Hall

    Taylor Short

    Issue date: 7/31/08 Section: NEWS
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    UNT computer science junior James Justin Harrell, 20, was found dead in his Mozart Hall dorm room Thursday afternoon.

    Linda Anderson, secretary for the Tarrant County Medical Examiner, said Harrell was found at 2:05 p.m. The cause of death was asphyxia by smothering.

    According to the medical examiner's Web site, Harrell was found with a plastic bag over his head and a large bottle of helium. The Web site states the death was an accident.

    Buddy Price, UNT spokesman, said the UNT police department is investigating the case and there was no indication of foul play.

    Harrell, born in Longview on Sept. 25, 1987, was a member of the marching band at Henderson High School where he befriended Emily Kangerga, a pallbearer at his funeral.

    "I will remember Justin as very smart, funny and light hearted," she said, "He could always make me laugh."

    Harrell's father said his son loved to interact with people on the Internet and expressed an interest in reading at an early age.

    "He never showed any issues with depression," his father said. "We furnished him a car and paid his bills. He seemed upbeat and seemed to be adjusting very well."

    David Richardson, a friend of Harrell's, said he went by Justin and that he was very much in love with computers and Japanese comic books.

    "Justin was extremely intelligent, reserved and quiet," Richardson said, "but had some excellent one liners that would leave the entire classroom in tears from laughter."
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    Viewing Comments 1 - 7 of 11

    jonny carroll

    posted 7/31/08 @ 6:56 AM CST

    good article, sad story. I'd def like to know the follow up to this if ya'll find it out.

    ben

    posted 7/31/08 @ 10:13 AM CST

    It wasn't an accident. Justin committed suicide.

    (1 reply)   Details   Reply to this comment

    student

    posted 7/31/08 @ 11:05 AM CST

    high/ suicide by helium? never heard of it. nt daily should do a follow up piece on this activity.

    (1 reply)   Details   Reply to this comment

    student2

    posted 7/31/08 @ 1:41 PM CST

    helium was to deprive of oxygen. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asphyxia

    mark

    posted 8/01/08 @ 2:48 AM CST

    A follow up story that explains how suicide is committed by helium and any trends would only inspire copycats. No good could come of this. Basic media ethics. (Continued…)

    (1 reply)   Details   Reply to this comment

    Pepper Hastings

    posted 8/01/08 @ 9:59 AM CST

    OK Mark, then let's just ignore it like it never happened. How's that for "ethics?"

    John Bobcat

    posted 8/01/08 @ 11:22 AM CST

    That's sad.

    The NT Daily needs to look review their articles before publishing, though.

    "Harrell, born in Longview on Sept. 25, 1987, was a member of the marching band at Henderson High School where he befriended Emily Kangerga, a pallbearer at his funeral. (Continued…)

    (1 reply)   Details   Reply to this comment

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