Sports

College Student’s Unusual Death By Chewing Gum Shocks School

Font Size:

A California University of Pennsylvania student died early Sunday morning, likely after inhaling her chewing gum.

Shanice Clark, 21, was discovered unresponsive in her dorm room at around 3 a.m. on Sunday morning, according to ESPN.

After a Monday autopsy, an initial report by the county coroner indicated that Clark, a basketball player, was likely accidentally asphyxiated after she swallowed gum that was in her mouth when she went to sleep.

Clark’s death has caused an outpouring of grief on the California University campus in small-town western Pennsylvania.

“Our thoughts today are with the family of Shanice Clark, a senior from Ontario, Canada, who passed away early this morning,” interim school president Geraldine M. Jones said on Monday, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

“On behalf of California University of Pennsylvania, I extend my deepest sympathy to all of Shanice’s family and friends. She will be missed by her teammates and coaches, her classmates, and by the entire campus community,” Jones added.

In addition to playing basketball at NCAA Division II Cal U, Clark was a communications studies major. The 6-foot senior wore number 44.

The Cal U women’s basketball team is ranked No. 24 in the most recent USA Today Sports Top 25 Coaches Poll, according to the school’s athletics website.

School officials have rescheduled the next game, against Gannon University, for later in the week in the wake of Clark’s sudden and untimely death.

Follow Eric on Twitter. Like Eric on Facebook. Send story tips to erico@dailycaller.com.

Tags : death
Eric Owens