Korean American Students Found Dead at Duke and Princeton; Causes Undisclosed

Two Korean American students from prestigious universities were found dead within a week, raising concerns as both schools and police have withheld details on the causes of death.

Duke University: Ian Hyun Kim Case

The Duke Chronicle reported that Ian Hyun Kim, a sophomore in Duke University’s College of Arts & Sciences, was found dead on May 1. The university confirmed there were no signs of foul play but did not disclose the exact time, location, or cause of death.

Kim’s body is believed to have been found in Duke Gardens, a park on campus. On the same day, posts on Reddit described seeing multiple police cars and police tape near Duke Gardens. The Korea Daily contacted the Duke University Police Department on May 7 for confirmation, but police declined to comment, citing an ongoing investigation.

Princeton University: Lauren Blackburn Case

On April 25, Lauren Blackburn, a 23-year-old mixed-race Korean American student at Princeton University, was found dead one week after being reported missing.

According to the New York Post, Blackburn was last seen near the Firestone Library around 6 p.m. on April 19. After receiving a missing persons report, the Princeton University Department of Public Safety used phone tracking to trace Blackburn’s last known location to Carnegie Lake, an artificial lake on the southern edge of campus. Her body was recovered from the lake three days later.

Both Princeton and its campus police have not disclosed the cause or manner of Blackburn’s death. Interviews with acquaintances revealed that Blackburn had broken up with her girlfriend a few days before her disappearance, left behind a note believed to be a suicide letter, and had a history of bipolar disorder and prior suicide attempts. These details have led to speculation that her death may have been self-inflicted, though no official cause has been confirmed.

Background and Community Impact

Born in Oregon in 2001, Blackburn grew up in Utah, Missouri, and Indiana. A junior majoring in English at Princeton, she was active in the Korean Literature Club and the Korean American Student Association. Last summer, she visited Korea through a Princeton scholarship program.

Official Responses

Both universities issued formal condolences. Mary Pat McMahon, Vice President and Vice Provost at Duke, sent a campus-wide email on May 1 describing Kim as “a bright and thoughtful student” and extended sympathies to his family and friends. Princeton held a memorial gathering on April 25 to honor Blackburn.

The Korean American community and campus members are watching closely as investigations continue.

BY KYEONGJUN KIM [kim.kyeongjun1@koreadaily.com]