Rising third-year College student Shannon Crouse, 27, passed away in early August, most likely as a result of natural causes resulting from a pre-existing medical condition. According to Crouse’s sister, Ashley Crouse, her brother was found the morning of Aug. 8 in his Gooch dormitory room by University Police.
Capt. Don McGee confirmed that Crouse was dead on arrival.
Autopsy reports have thus far proven inconclusive, Ashley Crouse noted, but she also said she believes her brother, who had a history of heart problems, died of heart complications. “He was born with a heart problem,” Ashley Crouse said. “At 8 he had [heart] surgery and when he was 13 he had a pacemaker put in.”
McGee similarly noted that a pre-existing medical condition is now believed to be at fault, and that there was no wrong-doing involved. Toxicology reports had not yet been released as of press time.
Crouse’s girlfriend, Jessica Brown, said she tried to get in touch with Crouse Aug. 7, after her night shift at the University Hospital ended, and began to grow worried Friday morning when she still hadn’t heard from Crouse.
“I tried texting and calling him after my shift and he didn’t respond, which is really weird,” Brown said.
According to Brown’s account, Friday, Aug. 8, at about 1 p.m., she tried to visit Crouse’s dorm room at Gooch but was stopped by University Police officers who told her they were unable to provide any information.
A police officer came later that day to tell her about her boyfriend’s death, she added.
Brown described Crouse, a biology major, as someone with a passion for aiding others.
“He really wanted to be a doctor — that’s the main thing he wanted to do,” Brown said. “He wanted to help other people and he would have been amazing.”
Crouse’s mother, Patricia Richardson, said her son became very interested in finding a cure for cancer after his father had passed away from the disease.
“He [wanted to cure it] so that no one else would have to suffer,” Richardson said.
Brown said Crouse worked as an emergency medical technician and also volunteered at a battered women’s shelter. In his spare time, he enjoyed playing the guitar and writing music, according to Richardson, who said Crouse performed at coffee houses in and around the Charlottesville area. Brown said Crouse once considered becoming pursuing music as a profession. Crouse was also known for his kindness and gentle demeanor. Both Crouse’s mother and sister said Crouse had a huge heart and loved to help others.
“He had a warm personality.” Crouse’s mother said. “He was very caring and loved to make others laugh. He was just a very loving loving individual. He had a very big heart.”
Crouse’s sister echoed her mother’s sentiment.
“He could turn any moment from bad to good,” Crouse said. “When anybody met him, they remembered him in a good way.”
A memorial service for Crouse was held Aug. 14 in Cleaveland, N.C., according to his sister, and a second memorial service was held yesterday at Western Technical School, Crouse’s previous institution.
Brown said she plans to hold a separate memorial service for Crouse on Grounds sometime in the upcoming weeks for those in the University community who knew him.
“I really think that he brought out the best in us, and we will really miss his presence,” Brown said.
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