{"id":973,"date":"2026-01-26T17:54:32","date_gmt":"2026-01-26T22:54:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/inhishands\/?p=973"},"modified":"2026-01-26T17:54:32","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T22:54:32","slug":"2-college-students-found-dead-in-car-behind-dorm-months-after-celebrating-their-anniversary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/inhishands\/2026\/01\/2-college-students-found-dead-in-car-behind-dorm-months-after-celebrating-their-anniversary\/","title":{"rendered":"2 College Students Found Dead in Car Behind Dorm Months After Celebrating Their Anniversary"},"content":{"rendered":"
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luke_reimer98 \/ Instagram<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Franciscan University community in Steubenville, Ohio, is mourning the deaths of two students who were found inside a parked vehicle earlier this week. Police say the tragedy was accidental and the result of carbon monoxide poisoning.<\/p>\n

Officers were called on Monday, Jan. 19, to check on two individuals in a car parked behind St. Agnes Residence Hall. When officers arrived, they found 20-year-old students Luke Reimer of Indian Shores, Florida, and Mary Mich of Downingtown, Pennsylvania, inside the vehicle. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.<\/p>\n

According to a statement from the Steubenville Police Department, \u201cOfficers located a male and female inside the vehicle and both were confirmed deceased. There were no signs of foul play and no signs of any drug use.\u201d<\/p>\n

Toxicology results later confirmed both died from carbon monoxide poisoning. Police said the deaths were ruled accidental and \u201cappear to be caused by a problem with the vehicle\u2019s exhaust.\u201d Franciscan University President Rev. Dave Pivonka said early indicators suggest the tragedy was related to \u201ca potential vehicle exhaust or engine malfunction.\u201d<\/p>\n

The news has shaken the small Catholic university known for its tight-knit campus life and strong faith culture. \u201cThis news brings profound sorrow to our entire Franciscan University community,\u201d Pivonka said in a statement to students and families. \u201cWe grieve the loss of two young lives, and our hearts ache for their families, friends, classmates, professors, and all who knew and loved them.\u201d<\/p>\n

He added that the school is holding Luke, Mary, and their loved ones in prayer, \u201casking the Lord for comfort, mercy, and peace.\u201d<\/p>\n

The university canceled events Monday evening out of respect for the students and made counselors and friars available in residence halls for students processing the loss. The campus also gathered for a Holy Hour and Rosary to pray for the students and their families.<\/p>\n

But beyond the immediate grief, many on campus are remembering Luke and Mary not only as classmates, but as a couple who shared life together. A post from Luke\u2019s Instagram last November marked the couple\u2019s first anniversary, saying, \u201cOne year with the most beautiful woman! I love you \u2764\ufe0f,\u201d alongside photos of the pair. Friends noted how inseparable they seemed.<\/p>\n

The university shared its own memorial on social media, posting a photo of the two with the caption, \u201cEternal rest grant unto them O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them.\u201d The school added, \u201cPlease join us in continuing to pray for Luke and Mary, and for all who are grieving their loss.\u201d<\/p>\n

In his message to students, Pivonka encouraged the community to lean on Christ in the midst of sorrow. \u201cLet us remain united in faith, hope, and charity, carrying one another through this time of sorrow,\u201d he wrote. \u201cMay Christ, who wept at the death of his friend Lazarus and who conquered death through his Resurrection, be our strength and our peace.\u201d<\/p>\n

The investigation is now closed, and university officials say they will continue providing support services for students as the campus processes the loss.<\/p>\n

Lord, we ask You to comfort the families of Luke and Mary and all who are grieving. Give peace to their classmates and strength to the Franciscan University community. May perpetual light shine upon them. Amen.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Franciscan University community in Steubenville, Ohio, is mourning the deaths of two students who were found inside a parked vehicle earlier this week. Police say the tragedy was accidental and the result of carbon monoxide poisoning. Officers were called on Monday, Jan. 19, to check on two individuals in a car parked behind St.…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":462,"featured_media":982,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fbia_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-973","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n2 College Students Found Dead in Car Behind Dorm Months After Celebrating Their Anniversary<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Ohio police said two people were found dead on Jan. 19 in a vehicle parked in the rear lot of St. Agnes Hall on the campus of Franciscan University.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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