Student dies in residence
Police say it could take months before it becomes clear how a Ryerson student died in her Pitman Hall room Thursday.
A residence adviser found Adele Turcotte, a first-year fashion student who lived on the building's sixth floor, in her bed around 4:15 p.m, Toronto Police said.
Reports say Turcotte and her mother spoke every day, and when she couldn't reach her daughter Thursday, she phoned one of her friends to check on Adele.
An autopsy Friday came up inconclusive, said Detective Bob Gordon of the 51st Division, adding that the next step is a toxicology report.
"Sometimes it takes a few months for these things to be done," Gordon said.
There is no indication that the death was a suicide.
Turcotte had diabetes since she was six years old, and Gordon says it's possible her death was related to her condition.
Turcotte, 17, from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., is the daughter of Algoma Steel Inc. President Denis Turcotte. The family was on campus Friday morning and has since left.
The body will be released to the family.
The school has dispatched its Crisis Intervention Team on site to assist and offer grief counseling to students, faculty and staff.
"The students on the floor have been told if they cannot write (their exams), they should contact their professor," said Janet Mowat, Ryerson's manager of public affairs.
Those looking for support and counseling are encouraged to contact the Ryerson Counseling Centre at ext. 5195.
Cindy Salituri, principal at St. Mary's College, where Turcotte graduated last June, remembered her as a well-liked student who played volleyball and aspired to be a fashion designer.
"She was a good student, a very talented artist. She was very positive, a leader," she said. "We're grieving right now. We're certainly doing a lot of talking."
"Now's not the time to be asking questions," said a young man who knew Turcotte shortly after learning about her death. "She meant a lot to me."
Turcotte's family declined to speak with the media when contacted by the Eyeopener on Friday.
"We don't have any comment, but we appreciate the call," said a woman who answered the phone at the Turcotte family home in Sault Ste. Marie.
In a death notice posted online that afternoon, the family described Turcotte as a loving sister who watched over her sister and two brothers.
"She always stood for those who had difficulty doing so for themselves. She believed in being up front, direct and honest about her feelings. Adele had the heart of a lion and cared for all things true and good," it read.
"I can't think of anything more tragic than the loss of life and the loss of a child. You have to send your love and your strength and your hope to the family," said Ryerson President Sheldon Levy.
Levy plans to speak with the Turcotte family, and the school hopes to work with them to arrange a memorial service.
"We have to give this family a chance to come to grips with this before we can talk about anything more public," said Mowat.
A funeral service will be held Tuesday, Dec. 11, at 10 a.m. in Sault Ste. Marie. More information is available here.
With files from Adrian Morrow and Jesse McLean.
More to come.
Please leave any thoughts or memorials at the Eyeopener Blog. We will make sure that they are passed on to Adele's family.
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