Lauren Blackburn, a 23-year-old undergraduate student at Princeton University, was discovered deceased at Lake Carnegie on the morning of April 25. The Indiana native has now been missing for six days. They were last seen near Firestone Library on the university’s campus around 6 p.m. ET on April 19.
In 2019, Blackburn was already a bright, accomplished student beyond his years. Additionally, he gained acclaim as one of only 2,500 recipients of the National Merit Scholarship. This past year she was a staff writer for The Daily Princetonian, the university’s student-run daily newspaper. Her intelligence and dedication to academics were noted by her former teacher, who remarked, “He can read a book and know everything in it,” highlighting her exceptional capabilities.
The internal and external search for Blackburn heated up after her cellphone pinged to a location near Lake Carnegie. Both campus authorities and local law enforcement went to great lengths in searching for her. Sadly, no one had had any contact with her since she was reported missing. W. Rochelle Calhoun, Vice President for Student Life, communicated with undergraduates via email, stating, “I will share an update when we know more, but in the meantime, please hold Lauren in your thoughts as we attempt to locate him.”
The Princeton University Department of Public Safety reported the tragic news, identifying Blackburn. Following the discovery of her body, the university’s Department of Student Life expressed their condolences in a social media post: “Our hearts are heavy and we share our deepest condolences with Lauren’s family and friends.”
The case quickly garnered national media coverage. Coverage from The Daily Princetonian, Fox News, and local outlet News 12 New Jersey focused on the fact that the search had not let up. On April 25, USA TODAY reached out to Princeton University for comments addressing racism and its treatment of Black students on campus. They had not gotten a response by time of publication.
As the Princeton community mourns this profound loss, many are still remembering Blackburn’s legacy as a student and friend. Though we mourn alongside those affected, the university remains dedicated to supporting students through this painful time as they process the loss of life from this tragedy.
Leave a Reply