MCMEO investigating death of 19-year-old at Wisconsin Lutheran College dorm

MILWAUKEE COUNTY (CBS 58) –Wisconsin Lutheran College is now planning a memorial service for one of their students who was found dead in her dorm room Sunday night.

The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner says 19-year-old Aliya Hesseltine was pronounced dead just after 12:30 a.m. Monday morning. Her roommate, returning from holiday break, found her on the floor around 9:45 p.m. Sunday.

“We weren’t allowed on our floor so we all went up to the second floor and just saw a lot of cop cars from the windows,” Hannah Wolfrath, who said she lives next door to Aliya, said.

The Medical Examiner says the death is not suspicious or related to drugs or alcohol, and most likely a natural event.

Their report says that Aliya had diabetes and that she was, “not compliant with her diabetic care.”

The report also said Aliya had posted on social media Friday about pain she was experiencing after having her wisdom teeth out.
Friday was also the last day she was known to be alive.

Monday, the college emailed students to let them know what happened and had counseling resources available.

“They just told us that there was a student that passed away, and that it was going to be a fairly private matter,” Rebecca Heller, Wisconsin Lutheran College Junior, said.

In addition to their faith, the tight knit college of just around 1,200 students is also finding comfort in each

“It’s definitely a really close knit family,” Kendra Schumacher, Sophomore, said. “I know colleges tend to be big places, and with us being small you get the sense that everyone is here for each other no matter what goes on.”

Classes were not affected Monday, because students have been on break since the holidays.

Classes are scheduled to resume Tuesday.

The President of Wisconsin Lutheran College, Dr. Daniel W. Johnson released the following statement: 

"It is with a sad and heavy heart that we share the news that one of our students passed away on our campus. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this very difficult time. This is an isolated situation, and there is no cause for individual or campus safety concern. We have counseling services available to our students, faculty, and staff. A memorial service will be forthcoming. Our WLC family is clinging to our faith in Christ knowing that our student is in the arms of Jesus."