By Kim Manahan (Whetstone editor)

A picture of Conley taken from his Facebook page

Freshman Charles Conley, 19, killed himself outside of Roe Hall in the early hours of Oct. 17.

Friends say that it happened over a girl.

“He loved this girl back at home and they would fight a lot,” said sophomore Jessica Brown, a friend of Conley’s. “Last time I heard his voice, he was yelling. He was not the type of person to do this.”
Brown was a neighbor of Conley’s in Roe Hall.

It was reported to Dover Police between 7:30-8:00 a.m., said Mary-Alice Ozechoski, dean of students. “Wesley waited to notify students until the New Jersey police officially notified the family out of respect for the mother.”

The college declined to provide specific details surrounding the suicide.

“This is a tragedy that has touched many on our campus,” said Ann Rogge, director of counseling services, “students and faculty members alike.”

A mass e-mail was sent out to students and faculty about the incident.

“Walter Beaupre, Amanda Kinkade, Ann Rogge and I arrived on campus at 8:15 to begin working on the plan for the college and our students,” Ozechoski said. “A football meeting was held at 6 p.m. to notify students he lived or played football with.”

Before killing himself, Conley’s Facebook status read, “Sorry mom but ask Jasmine what happened.”

Conley, a member of the JV football team, graduated from John P. Steven’s High school in Edison, N.J., last year.

He was a great teammate, said sophomore Matt Abrams.

“When camp started, Conley came up to me and introduced himself and he just asked me a lot about our program and what to expect,” he said.

His friends remember him for always being friendly and smiling.

“He was the greatest friend,” Brown said. “You’d never seen him down or upset. He’d always keep a straight face.”

Brett Deutchman, a friend from Edison, met Conley in 1998 when they attended Martin Luther King Elementary School together.

“He was the best friend anyone could ask for,” he said. “He was very special to me and holds a huge place in my heart.”

The night before his death, friends say they partied with Conley.

“I partied with him last night,” said freshman Randy Baisden. “And I was always playing ping pong with him in the Underground.”

Brown says she’s still in shock.

“I’ve only known him for a short amount of time, but I can honestly say he was like my brother,” she said.

A candlelight vigil was held Oct. 18, with a reception in the College Center following, “for those attending so we may gather as a community,” Ozechoski said. “We plan on hiring a coach bus to transport students to and from the funeral.”

Counseling services are being offered through Rogge’s office and through the chaplain’s office.

“After learning of the tragedy, a crisis team with the students on Charles’ floor, the students in his building, and the students on the football team,” Rogge said. “Coach Drass and the other football coaches played an integral role in the latter meeting.”

Friends say that Conley did not exhibit any different behaviors before killing himself.

“Although not everyone who is contemplating suicide shows symptoms,” Rogge said. “Signs to look for include depressed or sad mood, lost of interest in usual activities, fatigue or loss of energy, withdrawal from family and friends, feelings of worthlessness and guilt, diminished ability to think or concentrate, changes in sleeping habits, weight or appetite, thoughts of death, suicide or wishing to be dead and giving away possession, obtaining a weapon or writing a suicide note.”

There has not been a suicide on campus since Nov. 28, 2006, Beaupre said.