[Online Exclusive]: RA dies in fall from Saxon balcony

Julien D’Avanzo, a resident assistant for Rieber Hall 3
South, died early this morning after falling from a third floor
balcony of the Saxon Suites.

According to a letter from the UCLA Office of Residential Life,
D’Avanzo, a third-year history student, fell at approximately
1 a.m. In a separate e-mail to Saxon J residents, D’Avanzo
was said to have fallen outside of Saxon H.

He was immediately transported to the hospital, but staff were
notified soon after that he did not survive the fall.

The e-mail also said his family has been notified of his
death.

“We all feel a great loss by his death and know that
Julien was not only a member of our residential community, but also
of Sigma Pi fraternity and many other campus activities,”
said Office of Residential Life Director Suzanne Seplow in a
statement released today.

University police are currently investigating the cause of
death, said Nancy Greenstein, director of police community
services.

She said investigators would be speaking with students who were
present at the incident and who were with D’Avanzo earlier in
the day.

They would also be investigating the room and building where the
incident occurred in Saxon Suites.

So far, she said there had been no evidence reported suggesting
foul play, though investigators are still in the early stages of
the investigation, so no details are available yet.

A meeting has been planned for 7 p.m. today in the Rieber
Courtyard to assist students impacted by D’Avanzo’s
death. Also, staff and counselors will be available today in the
Rieber Fireside Lounge until 7 p.m.

From Bruin staff reports. For updates, read tomorrow’s Daily
Bruin.