Autopsy Rules Okrent's Death a Suicide

Autopsy results released Wednesday confirm that David L. Okrent '99 took his own life last month on Revere Beach in Revere, Mass.

According to the Suffolk County chief medical examiner's office, Okrent, who was 20, died of an acute massive hemorrhage caused by a self-inflicted stab wound to the neck that perforated his left columnal carotid artery.

The Suffolk County chief medical examiner based his results on forensic evidence and the autopsy report, said James M. Borghesanie, the press secretary for the Suffolk County district attorney's office.

Okrent's family was notified of the medical examiner's findings on Wednesday, Borghesanie said.

Okrent, a Cabot House resident and physics concentrator, was found by a man walking his dog at 6:30 a.m. on March 16. The Evanston, Ill., native died en route to Massachusetts General Hospital.

Contents of the medical examiner's toxicology report, which contains information about any substances that might have been found in Okrent's bloodstream, will not be released to the public.

The toxicology report is considered a confidential medical record in Massachusetts and will be released only to the legal next of kin and the district attorney's office.

In an interview with The Crimson yesterday, Dean of Students Archie C. Epps III said the mental health services available at University Health Services and the Bureau of Study Counsel can only do so much to help a student.

"None of us will know the issues behind David's death," Epps said. "I think that in some cases you can't reach the person. The advising system can't resolve the internal struggle."

Lawrence Okrent, David Okrent's father, told The Crimson last month that his son had been seeing a counselor while at Harvard.

"Because of the great expense of this place, he didn't think he was performing at the level he should be," Lawrence Okrent said. "We talked a lot about it, and we were in frequent conversations with him from November, when he started to verbalize these things."

The Okrents last saw David during Junior Parents' Weekend, one week before David's death. Lawrence Okrent has said that his son seemed to be doing well at the time.

James H. Ware, the master of Cabot House, said he was not surprised by the autopsy report's conclusions.

"The investigation seemed to be heading that way," Ware said.

Ware said he has been working with Okrent's roommates and family to plan a formal memorial service honoring Okrent.

"We haven't made any definite plans yet, but his roommates have been making several suggestions," Ware said. "We're looking forward to doing something that will recognize the contribution that David made to the House."