Two Male Students Die in Kirwan Tower Incident

TWO MALE STUDENTS DIE
IN KIRWAN TOWER INCIDENT

"We are profoundly saddened by this shocking incident. Our hearts go out to the families, as well as our students. In addition, I know our faculty and staff are grieving with us."

-- Lee T. Todd Jr.,
president,
University of Kentucky

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Funeral Arrangements for Jeffrey Pfetzer: Visitation: 3-6 p.m., Sunday, May 5,
Swindler and Currin Funeral Home, Latonia, Ky.
Phone: (859) 431-3014

Funeral Mass: noon, Monday, May 6,
St. Joseph Church, Crescent Springs, Ky.

Burial: 2:45 p.m., Monday, May 6,
St. Mary's Cemetery, Ft. Mitchell, Ky.

Memorials: Covington Catholic Building Fund or Soccer Fund, 1600 Dixie Highway, Park Hills, Ky.

May 3, 2002 (Lexington, Ky.) -- Two male students died Thursday morning following a tragic incident at the University of Kentucky's residence hall, Kirwan Tower.

One male was UK freshman Jeffrey Pfetzer, a resident of Kirwan Tower; the other, Matthew Rzepka, was visiting his brother, a resident of Kirwan. Both students were apparently wrestling in a third floor lounge area when they fell through a window.

Pfetzer, a 19-year-old from Villa Hills in Northern Kentucky, died at the scene. Rzepka, a 22-year-old from Bowling Green, Ky., was pronounced dead at the University of Kentucky Hospital. The Fayette County coroner's office said both died of head injuries.

The UK community is deeply saddened by this tragedy. Our students are in mourning over this tragedy and the University is prepared to offer them all the support we can in order to help them cope with their grief and sense of loss.

UK President Lee T. Todd Jr. and his wife, Patsy, along with other UK administrators were at Kirwan Tower throughout the morning. They spoke with students and reassured them they are available to help them with any needs they are experiencing.

Staff from the Dean of Students office also were on site and have assisted in making counselors available for students, faculty and staff. Staff from UK's Counseling Center are available at the residence halls and at the Counseling Center.

"We are profoundly saddened by this shocking incident," said Todd. "Our hearts go out to the families, as well as our students. In addition, I know our faculty and staff are grieving with us. Because UK is nearing the end of finals week, we have asked faculty to make reasonable accommodations for the students."

The Fayette County Coroner's Office, UK Police and Lexington-Fayette County Police are investigating the incident.