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University Of Mississippi Student Found Dead Near Lake, Foul Play Suspected
Deputies found the body of Alexandria “Ally” Kostial Saturday morning during their patrol and believe the college student, who had been taking summer classes, is a homicide victim.
A University of Mississippi student has been found dead near a lake 20 miles outside of campus in an apparent act of foul play, according to investigators.
The body of Alexandria “Ally” Kostial, 21, was discovered around 10:30 a.m. Saturday while Lafayette County Sheriff’s Department deputies were on patrol, according to WREG.
Investigators said it was “apparent that foul play was involved,” according to a news release obtained by the station; no further details were released.
The body was discovered near a lake in Harmontown, Mississippi, KTVI reports.
Kostial’s father, Keith Kostial, said in a post on Facebook that his daughter had been attending summer session and teaching fitness classes at the University of Mississippi at the time of her death. She is from St. Louis, Missouri.
He said police described the death as a homicide.
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigations and the Mississippi Crime Lab Crime Scene Unit are also assisting with the investigation.
Authorities have declined to release further details about the circumstances surrounding Kostial’s death because it remains an active investigation. Investigators said further details will be released at the “appropriate time.”
In a statement from the University of Mississippi, interim Chancellor Larry Sparks said officials were “saddened” by the news of Kostial’s death.
“Ally was a valued member of our campus community,” he said. “We extend our deepest sympathy to her family, friends, and classmates and stand ready to support them during this time.”
The 21-year-old had been working toward a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the School of Business Administration.
