Rice University cancels classes Tuesday after student found dead in dorm room

HOUSTON – Classes at Rice University are canceled Tuesday after a student was found dead on campus in what police believe was a murder-suicide Monday evening.

The student, who has since been identified as Andrea Rodriguez Avila, was a junior from Maryland.

Police said Avila’s parents called campus police after not hearing from their daughter, which prompted a welfare check at Jones College, a residential building on the campus.

• Rice University student killed in housing unit in murder-suicide has been identified

When campus police entered Avila’s dorm, they found her dead with a gunshot wound. They also found a man, who was not a student of the university, dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

A note was allegedly found by investigators, which led them to believe the shooting was a murder-suicide.

The man, who has not yet been identified, is believed to be from Florida and was visiting Avila. It’s unclear how long the two had been inside the room before being found.

Rice University implemented a call center for students who need support dealing with the tragedy.

KPRC 2 News created a series, “Breaking Free,” reporting on domestic-related violence and its horrific consequences. The series showcased various stories of survival, heartache, and some even ending in death, but each shared a list of free domestic violence resources on how to get help.

Chris Stipes. the executive director of news and media relations at Rice, confirmed that classes will resume Wednesday.

Do you know someone in need of help? KPRC 2 released the following features in “Breaking Free.”

• Breaking Free: The state of domestic violence in Texas
• Breaking Free - What is emotional and psychological abuse?
• Breaking Free: Helping African Americans de-stigmatize abuse, learn to ask the right questions
• Breaking Free: The red flags of an abusive relationship and tips on how to leave
• Breaking Free from Domestic Violence: Far too many cases to count in Harris County
• Breaking Free: Ways loved ones can support domestic violence victims
• Breaking Free: 3 women die in same week after jumping, exiting moving vehicles during possible domestic disturbances
• Do you need help? Free Domestic Violence Resources

Help is also available immediately if you need it through the following numbers:

• Houston Area Women’s Center: (713) 528-2121
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799−7233
• If you are in immediate danger, call 911.