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VOLUME 129, ISSUE 7
MONDAY, MAY 8, 2023
Remembering Sky Russell: Vigil Held to Honor Their Life
Rachel Jackson / Nevada Sagebrush A flower pot with a note saying “Rest easy Sky” written on the front at Russell’s vigil on May 7. Russell took their own life after a long battle with mental illness.
By Lizette Ramirez and Emerson Drewes On a chilly Sunday night, the University of Nevada, Reno and local community came together to honor and celebrate the life of Sky Russell, 21-year-old, soon to be graduated, environmental science student. Warm lighting, the sweet smell of the candles and the chirping of birds in the trees encapsulated the event as many came to mourn the loss of a beloved family, friend and community member. Russell took their own life after a long struggle with mental illness and their body was discovered on the northeast end of the Quad on May 4. Since the discovery, the campus and local community quickly came together to support Russell, their family and friends. A fundraiser was set in place to help raise money for Russell’s memorial and other expenses, as well as a vigil, arranged by Barstool Nevada and Old Row Nevada on May 7; both were assembled within a day of the news. “With this devastating tragedy, the Russell family needs our help,” Michelle Wallace Leutzinger wrote, the organizer of the fundraiser and close family friend. “…With everything they’re going through, having to worry about money shouldn’t be added to their suffering.” Within a day of the fundraiser being erected, it had amassed $22,000. Hundreds of people, including many who
knew Russell, congregated at the Mackay StatOnigkeit said they were disheartened to see ue starting at 8 p.m. to leave small mementos many on the internet not using Russell’s proper of remembrance for Russell’s life — including pronouns and being “nasty.” Russell went by flowers, candles and letters — or to give condo- they, them and theirs pronouns, however many lences and remember the person. large media outlets used improper pronouns, Scribbled on the letters and canincluding Barstool Nevada in their post dles were things like “for Sky about the arranging of the vigil. to read only!” or “you’re Talking about the situaloved.” One small tion with their partner note was left has been a way of that read “the coping for Onigsmartest enkeit, however vironmental they are trying scientist to celebrate I knew.” rather than be M e i k a sad. Onigkeit, a “We’re tryco-worker of ing not to be sad, Russell’s from because that’s not their time working what they would at Habit Burger on want; they would want campus present at the us to celebrate them,” said vigil, said they had seen them Onigkeit. “We’ve been trying Gabe Kanae / Nevada Sagebrush only a week ago, and the to find, like, things that they death was “pretty sudden.” love to do and putting that “It was really upsetting to realize it was my in our lives, so we can always have a piece of friend that I knew,” said Onigkeit. “They were them.” just about to graduate and they were so excited Onigkeit will miss Russell and cited them as for their future. For it to be gone now, is really, “the best coworker ever,” as they would sing toreally sad.” gether in the kitchen while they worked.
Body Discovered On UNR Campus By Lizette Ramirez and Emerson Drewes A deceased body was found on the University of Nevada, Reno campus at 7 a.m. on Thursday. According to UNR officials, there is no current threat to campus and police presence has been increased. “There is currently an increased police present at the north end of the Quad between the Paul Laxalt Mineral Engineering and Mackay School of Mines buildings,” said the email sent to students at 8:46 a.m. “Please avoid this location at this time.” A cause of death has not been released. Update as of 10:42 a.m. According to Scott Walquist, director of communications for UNR, at approximately 7:10 a.m. there was a body assigned female at birth found at the north end of the Quad between the Paul Laxalt Mineral Engineering and Mackay School of Mines buildings. “There is currently an ongoing investigation by the University Police Department,” Walquist wrote in an email. “There is no threat to campus.” The area between the Paul Laxalt Mineral Engineering and Mackay School of Mines buildings is now open. Update as of 11:42 a.m. The next of kin of the deceased person has been notified. Update as of 12:09 p.m. Eric James, chief of police for UNRPD, revealed the deceased woman was found by a construction worker. The body is with a medical examiner and
there are no signs of trauma or violence. James explained UNRPD is waiting for the medical examination and toxicology report to move forward with the investigation. James stated it may take four to six weeks to determine the cause of the death, but could take longer. While UNRPD is waiting for the cause of death, James stated they can do their due diligence with the last 12 hours of what the person’s life looked like. “Where they were, who they were with, those types of things,” James explained. “Kind of trying to put together the last few hours, we can kind of see what happened.” James reassured there is no ongoing threat on campus and there never was a threat. If any individuals need assistance, they are urged to go to counseling services on campus. Update as of 5:24 p.m. Brian Sandoval, president of the university, sent an email confirming the deceased individual was a student. “The death of a student affects our entire University. We mourn this tragic loss,” Sandoval wrote. Out of respect for the student and the family, the university is honoring their privacy. Sandoval provided campus resources for students and faculty who need help during this grieving time. Continued online at thenevadasagebrush.com
Logan Atkerson and Rudy Gonzales, members of Phi Delta Theta, came with their fraternity to show support. “We’re very big on community,” Atkerson said. “We thought it was best we show our support for the community and for someone that sadly lost their life.” Gonzales added, “We’re the Wolf Pack family, so we all just need to be here for one another.” Atkerson revealed he’s tried going to the university for therapy but it’s not as easily accessible as advertised to be. Whenever Atkerson has tried receiving therapy he’s been put on a waitlist because of the amount of people who are also attempting to receive mental health help. “I mean, it’s pretty pathetic,” Atkerson expressed. “There are people clearly that need help, and it’s like, you’re going to put me on a waitlist?” Atkerson understands resources are limited but wishes there were steps taken to address the issue. Russell will be remembered as a bright individual with a strong passion for the outdoors and deeply loved by their family and friends. Lizette Ramirez and Emerson Drewes can be reached at edrewes@sagebrush.unr.edu or on Twitter @NevadaSagebrush.
Fundraiser Being Held For Deceased UNR Student By Emerson Drewes After the body of deceased University of Nevada, Reno student Sky Russell, formerly known as Quincy Russell, was discovered a fundraiser and vigil has been organized to honor their life and help their family during their time of grieving. “On May 4, 2023, we received the devastating news that a dear member of our community was found dead on the UNR campus,” said the fundraiser hosted on GoFundMe by Michelle Wallace Leutzinger. “Sky Russell (originally named Quincy) was the child of Sarah and Brandon Russell and sibling to Newt Russell.” Russell’s body was discovered on the
Sky was deeply loved. northeast end of the Quad on May 4 at 7:10 a.m. by a construction worker. According to the fundraiser, Russell had struggled with mental illness and cited their cause of death as a suicide. “They had gone through a lot of therapy,
both inpatient and outpatient, and while they had their good days, they also were struggling with a lot of darkness inside,” said Leutzinger on the fundraiser page. “Things just got to be too much and their taking their life was their way of ending their suffering and pain.” Russell was newly 21 years old and was planning to graduate soon; they had a special passion for the outdoors and limnology, the study of inland aquatic ecosystems. The page called them “extraordinarily smart” and had strong wit, creativity and curiousity. “Sky was deeply loved by not only their biological family, but a wide family of friends who saw them grow up over the years,” said Leutzinger. In three hours, the fundraiser has fulfilled a fourth of their $20,000 goal, with many generous donations from anonymous donors. The vigil, organized by Barstool Nevada and Old Row Nevada, will be held on Sunday, May 7 at the Mackay Statue “to remember a fellow student.” They are asking community members to bring candles and flowers in their rememberance.
Emerson Drewes can be reached at edrewes@sagebrush.unr.edu or on Twitter @NevadaSagebrush.