La Salle student found dead in campus apartment

Police are investigating the death of a La Salle University student whose body was found Friday in his apartment at the campus in Northwest Philadelphia, officials said.

Jhoseph Ramirez-Brodeur, 21, a junior from Massachusetts, was found unresponsive in his university-housing apartment at St. Teresa Court, in the 5300 block of Chew Avenue, around noon, officials said. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Preliminary indications pointed to a drug overdose, but a final cause of death is pending a review by the Medical Examiner's Office, authorities said.

In a statement, the university said: "The entire campus community is shocked and saddened by this tragic event. We are cooperating fully with investigators regarding this incident. Right now, our thoughts and prayers are with the student's family, friends, and classmates. We have directed students seeking counseling services through the university's counseling center and university ministry and service during this difficult time." University officials declined to comment further. - Robert Moran