AMES, Iowa -- The Ames Police Department has released the name of the woman who was found dead early Sunday morning.
The body of Raven Nicole Gileau, 19, of 5221 Frederiksen Ct.,
was found at approximately 5:30 a.m. April 25 near railroad
tracks at 13th/Ontario Street in west Ames. Ames Police believe
the Iowa State University sophomore was struck by a train
earlier in the morning. Ames P.D. and the Union Pacific
Railroad are investigating.
Gileau was an accounting major from Woodbridge, Va., and a
member of ISU's Honors Program.
According to an Ames Police Department news release, acquaintances of Gileau reported she had earlier been in the Campustown area with friends and became separated from the group. At this time, investigators do not know why Gileau was on the railroad tracks.
Representatives of ISU's Dean of Students Office are providing support to Gileau's family. Students who feel distressed or need help in dealing with this tragedy are encouraged to call ISU's Student Counseling Service at (515) 294-5056.
"I was very saddened to learn of the death of Raven Gileau. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to her parents, family and friends," said Iowa State University President Gregory Geoffroy. "No words can ease the pain of losing such a promising young woman. It is a loss the Iowa State family shares, and we are reminded that life is fragile."
Gileau's death marks the third loss of an Iowa State student in the last two weeks. Civil engineering senior T.J. Good died of bacterial meningitis on April 13. The body of design student Jonathan Lacina, who had been missing since Jan. 22, was found on April 14. A fourth student, Tyler Danielson, 19, of Carlisle, was killed March 13 in a one-car accident in eastern New Mexico. He had been traveling with friends on spring break.
