Authorities attributed the deaths of Franciscan University students Luke Reimer and Mary Mich to carbon monoxide poisonin
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Mary Mich and Luke Reimer.Credit :Β Franciscan University of Steubenville
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Ohio police said two people were found dead on Jan. 19 in a vehicle parked in the rear lot of St. Agnes Hall on the campus of Franciscan University
Police also said that based on toxicology results, the two died of carbon monoxide poisoning, and their deaths have been ruled accidental
Franciscan University administrators identified the victims as students Luke Reimer and Mary Mich, both 20
A university in Ohio is grieving over the loss of two of its students who were found dead inside a car earlier this week in what school officials deemed a βtragic accident.”
In a Wednesday, Jan. 21, email to PEOPLE, the Steubenville Police Department stated that authorities had been summoned to 1505 University Blvd. in Steubenville around 12:30 p.m. local time on Monday, Jan. 19, to check on the welfare of two people inside the vehicle.
βOfficers located a male and female inside the vehicle and both were confirmed deceased. There were no signs of foul play and no signs of any drug use,β the department stated.
The vehicle was parked in the rear lot of St. Agnes Hall on the campus of Franciscan University of Steubenville, authorities said. Police said that, per the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office, the two victims died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning, based on toxicology results.
βThis was ruled accidental in nature and appears to be caused by a problem with the vehicle’s exhaust,β the department further wrote.
In a MondayΒ statementΒ to the Franciscan University community, the schoolβs president, Father Dave Pivonka, identified the pair as students Luke Reimer, 20, of Indian Shores, Fla., and Mary Mich, 20, of Downington, Penn.
βAt this time, early indicators suggest this was a tragic accident related to a potential vehicle exhaust or engine malfunction,β Pinvonka stated.
βThis news brings profound sorrow to our entire Franciscan University community,β he continued.Β βWe grieve the loss of two young lives, and our hearts ache for their families, friends, classmates, professors, and all who knew and loved them. Please know that we are holding Luke and Mary, and all who mourn them, close in prayer, asking the Lord for comfort, mercy, and peace.β
Pinvonka added that campus events scheduled for Monday evening had been canceled out of respect for the deceased. He stated that counseling services were being made available on campus.
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Mary Mich and Luke Reimer.Franciscan University of Steubenville
βLet us remain united in faith, hope, and charity, carrying one another through this time of sorrow,β Pivonka wrote. βMay Christ, who wept at the death of his friend Lazarus and who conquered death through his Resurrection, be our strength and our peace.β
A post made to Reimer’sΒ InstagramΒ account on Nov. 1, 2025, celebrated his one-year anniversary with Mich. He shared multiple photos of them and wrote in the caption, “One year with the most beautiful woman! I love you β€οΈ.”
Never miss a story β sign up forΒ PEOPLE’s free daily newsletterΒ to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offerββ, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Β
The university shared its ownΒ social media postΒ on Tuesday honoring Reimer and Mich, including a photo of the pair.
βIn Memoriam: Luke Reimer and Mary Mich. Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them,β the post read, in part.
βPlease join us in continuing to pray for Luke and Mary, and for all who are grieving their loss,β the message concluded.
