Freshman Justin Allan Yeo, a student in Arts & Sciences and a resident of Beaumont, a substance-free dorm, passed away early Sunday morning at St. Mary’s Health Center, a nearby hospital. He was 18.
His death appears to be due to natural causes, according to a University-wide e-mail announcement.
Born in Rosemead, Calif. on May 12, 1987, Yeo is survived by Mr. and Mrs. Samson Yeo. He was an active member of the Catholic Student Center and the Asian American Association.
“He was always there for me, and he cared so much about other people,” said freshman Patrick Wang, a close friend of Yeo’s. “I would thank him for being such a good guy.”
Wang recalled favorite memories of playing basketball with Yeo. “[We would go] to the AC. We worked out and played basketball, and we would just talk about stuff. If I had any problems, he made me feel so much better.”
Yeo’s freshman floormate had similar memories.
“He always smiled and always greeted people. I never saw him down,” said freshman Henry Gan, who lived on Beaumont 2 with Yeo.
Freshman Andrew Shin recalled meeting Yeo prior to their freshman year.
“I came here with him as a pre-frosh for Multicultural Weekend,” said Shin. “We hung out all the time. He was a really nice guy.”
Shin is among Yeo’s friends who have created a temporary memorial on Facebook.com. posting comments on his profile throughout Sunday.
While medical authorities have yet to determine the exact cause of Yeo’s death, a University-wide announcement noted that there is no known health risk to those with whom he has been in contact. A later e-mail sent to the University community dispelled rumors that Yeo had contracted meningitis.
Washington University is offering personal counseling and medical support to those affected by his passing at the Habif Health and Wellness Center.
-With additional reporting by Elizabeth Lewis and Josh Hantz