Two Illinois State University Students Dead: ISU Students Found Dead In Dorms

Updated story

Two Illinois State University students were found dead in separate campus dormitories late Thursday and Friday. Autopsies performed Friday afternoon confirmed that the deaths were unrelated and not the result of foul play.

According to a statement on the school's website, each student was found dead in their dorm room.

The Chicago Tribune has more:

Allison Zak, a sophomore from Schaumburg, was found unresponsive in Manchester Hall around 9:30 p.m. Thursday, according to the McLean County coroner's office. She was pronounced dead on the scene an hour later.

Shortly before midnight, John C. Stephens, a freshman from Wilmette, was found unresponsive in Hewett Hall, the coroner's office said. He was pronounced dead at 12:30 a.m. today.

Both students were 19-years-old.

CBS Chicago reports that the school, located in Normal, Ill., did not initially indicate whether the deaths were suicides, but ensured students and parents that the campus was safe.

"Illinois State University Police and the McLean County Coroner’s office are investigating both cases, but I want to assure you that the incidents are unrelated, and that there is no foul play or criminal activity of any kind involved in either incident," university president Al Bowman wrote.

Autopsies performed Friday found that Zak died of an undiagnosed, Crouzon Syndrome-related seizure disorder, the Daily Herald reports. Stephens was said to have died of "a nonnatural process." Toxicology tests have been ordered for Stephens.

As suspected, no signs of foul play or third-party involvement were found in either student's death, the Tribune reported. "The deaths were not of violent nature," McLean County Coroner Beth Kimmerling noted.

Zak's father, Michael Zak, described his daughter as "the kind of person who’d give you the shirt off her back," the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

"This is a devastating loss to Allison's mom, to me and her to sisters, it's just total surprise and unfathomable pain," Michael Zak continued.

Earlier this month, an 18-year-old student at nearby Illinois Wesleyan University -- directly next to ISU -- was found dead during a fraternity trip to Oregon, Ill. after a night of partying.

Brandon Landau was found in a creek. His cause of death has not yet been determined, pending toxicology tests.