20-03-2025
Cal Poly electrical engineering student dies over weekend: ‘We are heartbroken'
A Cal Poly student died over the weekend, the San Luis Obispo university announced Wednesday afternoon, the fourth student death in less than four months.
Senior electrical engineering major Aubrey Murray died Sunday, March 16, according to an announcement from the university's Office of Student Affairs.
'We are heartbroken to share the news of Cal Poly student Aubrey Murray's passing,' the department said.
'She was a brilliant student, always active and engaged, and particularly enjoyed the hands-on learning opportunities at Cal Poly,' the announcement read. 'She had recently become a member of the Cal Poly Climbing Club.'
According to the announcement, the university is in contact with Murray's family and has extended its support to them and her friends.
No cause or time of death had been released as of Wednesday afternoon.
According to a spokesperson for the university, Murray's death was not related to the St. Fratty's Day celebrations over the weekend.
Murray's death is the fourth in since December and comes less than two months after Cal Poly announced the death of another university student, third-year computer science major Christina DeChalk died on Jan. 26.
James Soulie-Washburn, a first-year transfer student from Encinitas who was majoring in architecture, died on Dec. 2, 2024.
Nico Goon, a first-year civil engineering student from Reno, died on Dec. 29, 2024, of an accidental drowning.
In less than a year, a total of six Cal Poly students have died.
Cal Poly football player and junior food science student Keith Marco died June 5, 2024, of a pulmonary embolism.
Third-year mechanical engineering student Kenneth Taylor died April 6, 2024, during a climbing trip at Salmon Creek Falls along the Big Sur coast.
The university advised students struggling with grief to connect with their support systems and to take advantage of the following resources:
Seek support at Counseling Services (Building 27) by calling 805-756-2511. Same-day appointments are available for those in urgent need or schedule a brief screening within a few days.
If you need immediate assistance any time of day, call the Crisis Line at 805-756-2511.
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Need a counselor come to your group to provide support and resources? Please call Counseling and Psychological Services at 805-756-2511 and ask to speak with Andrea Lawson, director of Counseling Services. You can also email counseling@
If you have questions or concerns related to missing a class or other academic commitments, these should be addressed directly with your individual instructors.
Assistance and support services are also available by contacting the Dean of Students Office at 805-756-0327 or email deanofstudents@
