Search for Western student ends in tragedy

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It was a sad day for Western as the search for missing student Noah Kishinevsky ended Monday afternoon when London Police Services found his body in a parked car at a high rise on Wonderland South Road.

Kishinevsky, who was reported missing by his roommate from Saugeen-Maitland residence on Sunday, has been the subject of a search effort coordinated by both London Police and Western. He was found after a citizen reported a car that had been parked in the high rise parking structure for some time.

Though the cause of death has not been confirmed, it is suspected Kishinevsky took his own life. Ken Steeves, media relations officer for London Police, said a hazardous substance was found in Kishinevsky’s car.

“[There’s] no foul play, so we’re not looking for anybody else,” Steeves said, adding the police would not be releasing the details of Kishinevsky’s death. “It is very sensitive and we try to respect the family members and close friends and neighbours, and whomever else in his life.”

Kishinevsky’s passing was felt keenly at Western, where he was attending his first year in the faculty of science.

“Even if you don’t know a particular student, it really is something that is felt across the university campus,” Keith Marnoch, director of media and community relations for Western, said. “It’s tragic for Noah’s family—it’s something people relate and feel for, so it’s a difficult day today and it will probably be a few more.”

“We have had people offering support and grief counselling to those who need it,” Marnoch said. “They’re talking to Noah’s friends and acquaintances.”

This situation has put a spotlight on mental health, and Myuri Komaragiri, vice-president campus issues for the University Students’ Council, hopes the Western community can take away some meaningful lessons from the tragedy.

“I’ve been hearing from a lot of students how down they feel. Even if they knew Noah or not, he was still a member of the community,” Komaragiri said. “Today we’ve really been pushing our Peer Support Line and making sure that students know they can call it.”

“Even if you knew Noah, or this situation has caused you to reflect on other things, we’re just trying to make sure students know about our peer support resources.”