White, roman-style letters spell out "Washington State University" across a short, gray brick wall on the university's Pullman campus. Green and organge leaves are in the foreground, with a brief glimpse of bright green grass between the leaves and the short wall. In the background, a green, leafy tree is visible against a blue sky with light white clouds. In the center of the background, the top of a burnt-red brick and white of a dorm building with rectangular windows is just visible peeking above the wall.

Speculation surrounds death of student on WSU campus

By Lauren Paterson February 6, 2023

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Luke Tyler, a Washington State University student, was found dead at a residence hall on the Pullman campus last month.

WSU Police responded to a call on Sunday, Jan. 22 and found Tyler deceased in his dorm room, University Spokesman, Phil Weiler, explained in an emailed statement.

There has been a lot of conjecture regarding the circumstances of Tyler’s death, Weiler wrote, adding that the university is cautioning the public against speculation, since the investigation is ongoing, and the official cause of death has not been released.

Chancellor of the WSU Pullman campus, Elizabeth Chilton, wrote that Tyler’s death was heartbreaking.

“The loss of a member of our Cougar family creates a tremendous loss for all of us,” she said in a statement released by WSU on Jan 25. “I want to extend my deepest condolences to the students, family, friends, classmates, and fellow Cougs.”

Weiler says it could be several weeks before the Whitman County Coroner determines how Tyler died.