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Pictured: Triplet, 9, whose life was saved by ‘bullied to death’ NJ teen Adriana Kuch

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Pictured: Triplet, 9, whose life was saved by ‘bullied to death’ NJ teen Adriana Kuch


A New Jersey mother-of-three has described the excruciating ache she has felt for the reason that lack of ‘bullied to demise’ teen Adriana Kuch, who saved her daughter from drowning final summer time. 

Roxanne Gattuso, 57, is the proud mom of triplets – Luciana, Nico and Franco – all 9, and stated Adriana, 14, had been like an ‘older sister to them’ whereas alive.

Adriana’s demise rocked the Bayville group, that sits inside the Berkeley Township in Ocean County, after the 14-year-old killed herself in her bed room closet on Feb 3, two days after a video of her being crushed – which left her bloodied, bruised and blacked out – went viral.

Within the wake of the devastating loss to the group, footage has resurfaced exhibiting Adriana heroically leaping right into a pool to avoid wasting a toddler. 

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Gattuso advised DailyMail.com solely that the unidentified minor, is her daughter, Luciana, 9, who had ‘swallowed water and almost drowned’ earlier than the teenager ‘and not using a second thought ripped off her hoodie, jumped into the pool and saved her.’

New Jersey mother-of-three, Roxanne Gattuso, 57,  has described the excruciating ache she has felt for the reason that lack of ‘bullied to demise’ teen Adriana Kuch, who saved her daughter from drowning final summer time

‘It was August, final summer time, and Adriana had been over to assist me take care of the youngsters,’ Gattuso defined.

Gattuso stated all three of her kids can swim, however near-tragedy struck final summer time, as she went inside to get everybody lemonade. 

‘I went inside to get everybody some drinks and whereas I used to be there and Adriana was taking care of the youngsters, my daughter, Luciana, had been swimming within the pool,’ she stated. 

‘Adriana had advised me she first thought she was enjoying, however realized one thing was fallacious, she instantly leapt into motion. With no second thought she ripped off her hoodie, jumped into the pool and saved her.’ 

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The 57-year-old advised DailyMail.com that she could not naked the considered what might have occurred to her then 8-year-old daughter, had Adriana not been there. 

‘Adriana was like an older sister to them, Luciana stated ‘I am okay mommy, I swallowed water,’ however that might have been one other tragic second,’ she stated holding again tears.

Gatusso lives subsequent door to Adriana in Bayville, and defined that she met the 14-year-old when she and her father Michael moved to the neighborhood about six-years-ago. 

Gatusso lives next door to Adriana in Bayville, and explained that she met the 14-year-old when she and her father Michael moved to the neighborhood about six-years-ago

 Gatusso lives subsequent door to Adriana in Bayville, and defined that she met the 14-year-old when she and her father Michael moved to the neighborhood about six-years-ago

In the wake of the devastating loss to the community, footage has resurfaced showing Adriana heroically jumping into a pool to save a child

Within the wake of the devastating loss to the group, footage has resurfaced exhibiting Adriana heroically leaping right into a pool to avoid wasting a toddler

Gattuso told DailyMail.com exclusively that the unidentified minor, is her daughter, Luciana, 9, who had 'swallowed water and nearly drowned' before the teen 'without a second thought ripped off her hoodie, jumped into the pool and saved her'

Adriana is seen pulling the young girl from the water as she spluttered and coughed after swallowing water which her mother said could have led her to drown in the home pool

Gattuso advised DailyMail.com solely that the unidentified minor, is her daughter, Luciana, 9, who had ‘swallowed water and almost drowned’ earlier than the teenager ‘and not using a second thought ripped off her hoodie, jumped into the pool and saved her’

The New Jersey mom stated that Adriana turned like a ‘second daughter’ to her and that she helped educate her youngsters to experience bikes and was a fixture inside her family. 

The mother-of-three stated Adriana was a key a part of her life and defined that she is not any stranger to tragedy. 

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‘I misplaced my husband immediately in 2021 and Adriana was an enormous assist to me whereas I used to be grieving his loss,’ she stated. 

‘I met Adriana when she was about seven or eight when she knocked on my door, my coronary heart broke for her as a result of she had simply misplaced her mom, so after I misplaced my husband she understood the place the youngsters had been coming from and have become an enormous consolation to me throughout that point.’

Already grieving the lack of her husband, Gatusso defined that she could not naked to place the kids by way of one other demise.

‘I am unable to deliver myself to inform them but, Adriana was such an enormous a part of their lives. [After I lost my husband] my youngsters stored asking ‘who else goes to die mother’ they simply adored Adriana so I could not inform them,’ she stated. 

The total surveillance footage supplied to DailyMail.com by Gatusso reveals the second the 14-year-old fearlessly saved her neighbor’s daughter.

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Within the video footage Luciana is seen leaping into the household pool earlier than disappearing below the water. 

Adriana was a fixture at the household and is seen here Christmas last year with the triplets and their bestfriend

Adriana was a fixture on the family and is seen right here Christmas final yr with the triplets and their bestfriend 

The 57-year-old told DailyMail.com that she couldn't bare the thought of what could have happened to her then 8-year-old daughter, had Adriana not been there

Luciana is now 9 but nearly drowned in her pool at home

The 57-year-old advised DailyMail.com that she could not naked the considered what might have occurred to her then 8-year-old daughter, had Adriana not been there

Roxanne Gattuso, 57, is the proud mother of triplets - Luciana, Nico and Franco - all 9, and said Adriana, 14, had been like an 'older sister to them' while alive. They're pictured here with their late father, Frank, who died suddenly Nov 2021

Roxanne Gattuso, 57, is the proud mom of triplets – Luciana, Nico and Franco – all 9, and stated Adriana, 14, had been like an ‘older sister to them’ whereas alive. They’re pictured right here with their late father, Frank, who died immediately Nov 2021

She briefly lifts her head above water as Adriana is seen getting up off the sting of the pool and checking to see how the younger lady is doing. 

Adriana will be heard asking whether or not Luciana is okay. Coughing and spluttering, the younger lady is seen disappearing into the water once more. 

The 14-year-old takes off her hoodie, jumps into the pool, and is seen swimming the, then eight-year-old to the security of the shallow aspect of the pool. 

Luciana can nonetheless be heard coughing and spluttering as Adriana carries her out.

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‘It is an enormous loss to the group, an enormous loss for our household, and I really feel just like the block is empty now,’ she stated.

Adriana was discovered useless in her house in Bayville on Feb 3, Gatusso, recalled waking as much as a number of police autos parked within the cul-de-sac that they each lived. 

‘I bear in mind considering to myself, please let it not be Adriana, please no. Then I known as Michael [Adriana’s father] who stated she was gone. 

‘My coronary heart dropped, I might already misplaced my husband and now I am dropping my second daughter.’

The compassionate teen was always helping Gatusso around the house and had taught the triplets to ride bikes after her husband passed away

Adriana can be seen holding the families new puppy while teaching the kids to ride bikes

The compassionate teen was all the time serving to Gatusso round the home and had taught the triplets to experience bikes after her husband handed away

Adriana is seen playing with the triplets at the beach with a friend and was often seen spending time with them

Adriana is seen enjoying with the triplets on the seaside with a pal and was usually seen spending time with them

An ‘insidious and systemic’ concern of bullying has surfaced within the wake of the tragedy – which household say is a direct results of the heartless therapy of their ‘beloved’ Adriana.

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A stunning video of Adriana being bullied at Central Regional Excessive Faculty circulated social media simply days earlier than she took her personal life exhibiting the younger New Jersey teen kicked, punched and crushed as she lay within the college hallways within the fetal place.

4 teenage women who’ve been accused of the assault towards Adriana have been slapped with a number of prices following the vicious beating.

One lady has been charged with aggravated assault, and will face court docket as an grownup, one other with harassment and the 2 others with conspiracy to commit aggravated assault.

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer introduced on Friday stated: ‘Every juvenile and their guardian was served with a replica of their criticism and are launched pending future court docket appearances.’

Adriana was found dead in her home in Bayville on Feb 3, Gatusso, recalled waking up to several police vehicles parked in the cul-de-sac that they both lived

Adriana was discovered useless in her house in Bayville on Feb 3, Gatusso, recalled waking as much as a number of police autos parked within the cul-de-sac that they each lived

Here she is seen with bruises and scratches on her face

 Right here she is seen with bruises and scratches on her face 

She was brutally beaten inside the school (pictured) before she took her own life

The 20-second clip shows several students attacking the teen, hitting her with a water bottle -  as she walked with her boyfriend

She was brutally crushed inside the varsity (pictured) earlier than she took her personal life . The 20-second clip reveals a number of college students attacking the teenager, hitting her with a water bottle – as she walked along with her boyfriend

Adriana's bruised legs after the attack. Her father said she was mostly 'humiliated' by the video, which made her feel like she'd been attacked 'twice'

Adriana’s bruised legs after the assault. Her father stated she was principally ‘humiliated’ by the video, which made her really feel like she’d been attacked ‘twice’ 

The 20-second viral clip reveals a number of college students attacking the teenager and hitting her with a water bottle as she walked along with her boyfriend.

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Bystanders are additionally seen laughing at Adriana after she was punched, kicked and had her hair pulled, whereas she lay within the fetal place on the ground of the varsity hallway.

One of many attackers might be heard yelling, ‘That is what you get you silly a** b****.’

In line with New Jersey regulation, minors charged with extra severe offenses, equivalent to assault, will be tried in grownup prison court docket.

The choice on whether or not or to not cost as an grownup lies with the prosecutor.

The penalty for a conviction of aggravated assault in New Jersey is wherever between 18 months and 10 years in jail.

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Harassment and conspiracy prices towards a minor are much less prone to be taken to prison court docket.

Adriana’s father Michael advised DailyMail.com that the varsity board had been reluctant to expel the bullies as a result of they had been afraid of a loss in income.

He stated: ‘If my daughter is just price $23,000 a head to them, as a result of they’d lose 4 college students, then what’s anyone’s child price.’

School superintendent Triantafillos Parlapanides tried to deflect blame away from his department following the tragedy by blaming her father's affair for her issues  - many are calling for the embattled superintendent to be sacked following the tragic death

Faculty superintendent Triantafillos Parlapanides tried to deflect blame away from his division following the tragedy by blaming her father’s affair for her points  – many are calling for the embattled superintendent to be sacked following the tragic demise

This is the email response Parlapanides provided to DailyMail.com when asked what counseling Adriana had been given. He claimed her 'choices declined', that her mother committed suicide 'since her father had an affair'

That is the e-mail response Parlapanides supplied to DailyMail.com when requested what counseling Adriana had been given. He claimed her ‘decisions declined’, that her mom dedicated suicide ‘since her father had an affair’ 

Central Regional High School in Bayville, New Jersey where Adriana is said to have been bullied and attacked

Central Regional Excessive Faculty in Bayville, New Jersey the place Adriana is claimed to have been bullied and attacked 

The office of Superintendent Triantafillos Parlapanides is pictured, above

The workplace of Superintendent Triantafillos Parlapanides is pictured, above

Adriana’s household stated the teenager’s funeral, which was because of happen on Saturday, has now been canceled.

There have been no members of Central Regional Excessive Faculty’s school current on the visitation on Friday night, in accordance with Michael.

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He advised DailyMail.com that his daughter was not suspended within the days main as much as her demise however was as an alternative advised to not return till her accidents healed – as she could have been subjected to additional ridicule.

‘We will not cease crying that is the final time I am ever going to see her.

‘It was not presupposed to occur we heard it again and again your baby is not presupposed to go earlier than you.’

Faculty superintendent Triantafillos Parlapanides tried to deflect blame away from his division following the tragedy.

‘Her father was having an affair on the finish of her sixth grade. Her father married the lady he had an affair with and moved her into the home,’ he solely advised DailyMail.com in an e-mail.

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‘Her grades and decisions declined in seventh and eighth grade. We provided her drug rehab and psychological providers on 5 events however the father refused each time.’

Michael Kuch, (pictured on Friday at his daughter's visitation) told DailyMail.com Friday that the school's board were reluctant to expel the bullies because they were fearful of a loss in revenue

Michael Kuch, (pictured on Friday at his daughter’s visitation) advised DailyMail.com Friday that the varsity’s board had been reluctant to expel the bullies as a result of they had been afraid of a loss in income

Michael Kuch speaking to DailyMail.com outside of his daughter's visitation

Michael Kuch chatting with DailyMail.com exterior of his daughter’s visitation  

One of the girls involved in the attack posted these heartless messages on Snapchat

One of the girls involved in the attack posted these heartless messages on Snapchat

One of many women concerned within the assault posted these heartless messages on Snapchat. Adriana’s father stated: ‘It was once you’d go to high school, get bullied and you then left. However now you come house and you retain getting bullied – they nonetheless preserve choosing at you house’

Michael slammed Parlapanides for his feedback within the aftermath of his daughter’s demise.

‘What’s insensitive is him occurring social media and defending his actions and attacking different individuals,’ he stated.

‘The administration must be utterly shaken up and by shaken up I imply they should be eliminated.’

‘I do not know why he is been there that lengthy I don’t know why that man nonetheless has a job.’

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Michael went on to say that he’s in discussions with a lawyer relating to the household’s subsequent authorized steps.

He additionally stated that attorneys from throughout the nation have been in touch with him.

The suicide has been a linchpin that has known as the varsity board and district Superintendent’s positions into query. 

Tales of bullying, racism and sexual assault have emerged following the suicide with a whole bunch protesting the dearth of motion from the administration within the area.

A whole lot got here collectively to mourn the lack of Adriana with college students and fogeys congregating exterior the varsity grounds holding indicators of protest in what they described to be ‘a stunning lack of sensitivity’ and motion from the ‘administration who swore to guard’ them.

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Students and parents congregated outside the school grounds holding signs of protest

College students and fogeys congregated exterior the varsity grounds holding indicators of protest

The students described what they believed to be 'a shocking lack of sensitivity' and action from the 'administration who swore to protect' them

The scholars described what they believed to be ‘a stunning lack of sensitivity’ and motion from the ‘administration who swore to guard’ them

'We're trying to raise awareness because it's taken her death to bring to light the severity of the bullying going on in central and how their not doing anything at all,' one protestor said

‘We’re attempting to boost consciousness as a result of it is taken her demise to deliver to mild the severity of the bullying occurring in central and the way their not doing something in any respect,’ one protestor stated

Luca Canzoneri, 15, spoke to DailyMail.com following one other protest organized by college students from the Ocean County college.

He stated that he was launched to Adriana by way of pals and they’d sit collectively at lunch.

The 15-year-old stated he is devastated by the loss and astonished by the dearth of motion from the varsity he attends.

‘We’re attempting to boost consciousness as a result of it is taken her demise to deliver to mild the severity of the bullying occurring in central and the way their not doing something in any respect,’ he stated.

‘The [administration] has been making enjoyable of us for protesting,’ he claimed.

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Standing on the varsity oval, with pals and fogeys, Luca defined that elevating consciousness got here with dangers.

‘The varsity is suspending individuals in the event that they protest, there was a protest yesterday with much less individuals than at the moment, however all of them received suspended,’ he claimed.

It stays unclear what number of kids have been suspended following protests which erupted within the wake of Adriana’s suicide.

Some students feel aggrieved by the reaction of school staff following a fellow student's suicide

Some college students really feel aggrieved by the response of faculty employees following a fellow scholar’s suicide

The school is said to be suspending people if they protest. It remains unclear how many children have been suspended following protests in the wake of Adriana's suicide

The varsity is claimed to be suspending individuals in the event that they protest. It stays unclear what number of kids have been suspended following protests within the wake of Adriana’s suicide

Danielle Ledesma, 17, stated she did not know Adriana, nonetheless spoke to what some members of the group have known as a systemic concern of bullying and lack of motion from college employees.

Holding an indication that reads ‘I doubt that’ Danielle advised DailyMail.com that it wasn’t the primary time the varsity did not take motion after a scholar approached them for assist.

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‘My signal is the response from the superintendent when my pal stated that she received sexually assaulted in Central Regional highschool,’ she stated.

‘I have been severely bullied all through my whole life,’ she defined speaking to the therapy she’s acquired on the college.

Danielle went on so as to add that she had ‘been having panic assaults within the college every day’ due to the way in which she has been handled.

‘It received to the purpose the place I now have all of those meltdowns, all of those crying matches, panic assaults, no matter it could be greater than 5-6 occasions a day each single time that I’ve one on the college they do completely nothing,’ she stated.

‘There was one level the place I used to be telling the instructor to get away from me they usually proceeded to tug me right down to steering as a result of I used to be ‘skipping class’ regardless that the instructor knew I used to be on the market I advised her to kindly go away me alone and she or he by no means did she pushed extra.

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‘We’re all out right here dropping our voices so Adriana doesn’t lose hers.’

DailyMail.com have been advised by a number of dad and mom, Michael and members of the group that the varsity can be having a closed assembly on Thursday.

In case you or somebody you realize is in disaster, name 988 to achieve the Suicide and Disaster Lifeline. You too can name the community, beforehand referred to as the Nationwide Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255, textual content HOME to 741741 or go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/sources for added assist and knowledge.



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New Jersey school bus aide awaits verdict in student death trial

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New Jersey school bus aide awaits verdict in student death trial


SOMERVILLE, N.J. — The fate of a former school bus aide charged in the death of a special needs student is now in the hands of a New Jersey jury. 

Amanda Davila took the stand Thursday in her trial for aggravated manslaughter after a safety harness strangled 6-year-old Fajr Williams on a bus she was monitoring. 

Davila, 27, told jurors she’s remorseful and suffering from PTSD linked to the fateful bus ride to Claremont Elementary School in Somerset in July 2023.

“I feel bad for what happened, and I am so sorry that it did happen, and I made a mistake,” Davila testified. 

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Davila testified she wasn’t solely responsible for the seatbelt harness around Williams, who used a wheelchair, and that no one ever told her to adjust it. 

Jurors watch surveillance video of special needs student’s death

Jurors watched video from the bus showing Williams sliding down in her wheelchair and her harness getting wrapped around her neck. As Williams was struggling, prosecutors said Davila was wearing earbuds and checking social media on her cellphone. 

“I was scrolling through apps to go onto Instagram and texting,” Davila testified. 

sloan-530-pkg-school-bus-aide-court-1925-hi-res-still-00-00-4301.jpg
Amanda Davila pleaded not guilty to aggravated manslaughter in the 2023 death of 6-year-old Fajr Williams. 

Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office

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In her defense, Davila claimed her employer allowed her to sit in the middle of the bus and did not properly train her. Her attorney blamed the deceased student’s older sister who put the harness on. 

“She died because her own mother didn’t properly, or delegated, fastening her into the wheelchair,” attorney Michael A. Policastro said, “and that is not responsibility of Amanda.” 

“It is heartbreaking and it’s disturbing”

During closing statements, the prosecution also showed video of police interrogating Davila. At the same time, Williams’ mother was slumped over, crying. Prosecutors called Davila a liar, claiming she broke policy by using her phone, and said she failed to watch Williams and secure a bus latch to prevent the wheelchair from moving, despite receiving training over seven years.  

“It is heartbreaking and it’s disturbing to keep reliving it and to have to physically watch my daughter suffer due to negligence,” said Najmah Nash, Williams’ mother. 

“The cellphone is more important than the child,” Somerset County First Assistant Prosecutor Michael McLaughlin told the jury. 

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Jurors will resume deliberations on Monday. The charges against Davila carry a 10-year prison sentence.



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Funeral to be held for 25-year-old NJ man killed in New Orleans attack

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Funeral to be held for 25-year-old NJ man killed in New Orleans attack


HOLMDEL, New Jersey (WPVI) — Family, friends, and those who knew 25-year-old Billy DiMaio will pay tribute to him during a funeral service in Holmdel, New Jersey, on Thursday.

The standout athlete, son, and brother was one of the 14 victims killed in the New Year’s Day terrorist act in New Orleans.

He was with friends on Bourbon Street when a man inspired by ISIS drove his truck into a crowd of people.

Victim killed in New Orleans attack ID’d as Philadelphia college grad

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DiMaio’s funeral will be held at St. Catherine’s Church in his hometown of Holmdel at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Holmdel Cemetery following the service.

Billy’s parents Bill and Tracie DiMaio are heartbroken.

“Billy had a smile that could light up a room, and his laughter was truly infectious,” the family said in a statement. “His energetic personality inspired everyone around him. He cared for others more than himself and, as the oldest brother to Samantha and Anthony held a unique and irreplaceable role in their lives as well as cousins and friends. He will be dearly missed.”

DiMaio graduated in 2022 from Philadelphia’s Chestnut Hill College where he was a midfielder on the lacrosse team, according to the athletic director.

RELATED | What we know about victims of New Orleans truck attack: ‘So beautiful and full of life’

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14 people were killed when a man rammed his truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street on New Year’s Day.

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College student from Lincroft, NJ killed in skiing accident

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College student from Lincroft, NJ killed in skiing accident


A Monmouth County college student died Tuesday after a tragic skiing accident in Hancock, Massachusetts, according to authorities.

The student, 19-year-old Alex Kemp of Lincroft, graduated from Christian Brothers Academy last year. He was a first-year student at Williams College, also in Massachusetts, where he competed on the cross-country and men’s track and field team.

According to media reports, Kemp was skiing down the Cutter Trail route at Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort when he crashed around 2:39 p.m.

“Kemp had gone over an embankment and appeared to have suffered significant head trauma,” according to reporting from The Berkshire Eagle of a statement from the Berkshire County District Attorney’s Office. “Jiminy Peak Ski Patrol were immediately dispatched to the scene,” the statement went on to say according to reporting from The Berkshire Eagle. “Northern Berkshire EMS arrived shortly thereafter to administer life-saving measures. The victim was transported to Berkshire Medical Center before being transferred to Baystate Medical Center for further care.”

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No evidence suggested drugs and alcohol were involved, according to reporting from The Berkshire Eagle of a statement from the Berkshire County District Attorney’s Office. The publication also reported Kemp was wearing a helmet.

The Cutter Trail, a black diamond trail, is labeled on a Jiminy Peak trail map as being “most difficult” and for seasoned skiers.

Local law enforcement is investigating the accident, and they said Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort has cooperated.

On Wednesday, Williams College President Maude Mandel addressed the school community about Kemp’s death. In it, she expressed her sadness and also quoted Kemp’s coach, Dusty Lopez, who recruited him to run at Williams.

“Alex was fearless and incredibly motivated as a runner, both in training and competition,” Lopez’s quote in the statement read. “But even when he didn’t have his own best day, he took sincere joy and pride in seeing teammates do well. The team was always his biggest priority. Our entire team feels a huge sense of loss and grief at this tragic accident. Our thoughts and hearts are with his family, his high school teammates and coaches, and everyone else who was lucky enough to know Alex.”

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Mandel added that Kemp had hoped to complete a doctorate in computer science, placed first among all first-years at the NCAA Championships, and was an active volunteer. In her statement, Mandel said Kemp had volunteered at the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Kitchen and iCan Bike.

The college, Mandel added, is planning to hold a public gathering in recognition of Kemp’s life in the “coming weeks.”

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