Campus grieving the death of Stanford senior
The Stanford family is grieving the death of senior Xavier Leyva-Quintana, 22, who was found unresponsive Sunday in his room at his residence, Xanadu. Palo Alto Fire paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene about 1 p.m, after receiving a 911 call from a family member.
The cause of death remains under investigation by the Santa Clara County Coroner’s Office. Stanford police said there is no reason to believe there is any threat to the campus community.
Leyva was a senior majoring in economics from Winter Haven, Florida. He was active in a number of campus cultural organizations, including Los Hermanos de Stanford.
As word of his death spread Sunday afternoon, stunned and tearful Xanadu residents consoled each other. Throughout the Row where he lived, students who were close to Leyva from all parts of the student community gathered spontaneously to share their grief. On Monday, students placed flowers and candles on the porch of Xanadu in memory of their friend.
On Monday evening, several dozen students gathered around the Old Union Fountain for a candlelight vigil to remember Leyva.
Vice Provost Greg Boardman sent a note to all students Sunday evening, urging departing students to “stay close to the friends you have just left on campus. Continue to check in with one another, and offer each other support and strength.”
Boardman also reminded students that, even if not on campus, there are still around-the-clock resources available for support, including:
- Counseling & Psychological Services / CAPS: 650-723-3785
- Undergraduate Residence deans: 650-725-2800 (after hours, call 24-hour pager at 650-723-8222, Pager ID 15626)
- Graduate Life deans: 650-736-7078 (after hours, call 24-hour pager at 650-723-8222, Pager ID 25085)
- Office of Religious Life: 650-723-1762
- Public Safety: 650-723-9633 (after hours, call 650-329-2413) or in an emergency, dial 911 or 9-911 from any campus phone.