A devastating mystery that gripped Ohio State University for weeks has now been confirmed as a heartbreaking tragedy.
Authorities have ruled that 19-year-old student William “Will” Meyers died by suicide inside Ohio Stadium on September 26, according to the Franklin County Coroner’s Office. The discovery stunned the Columbus campus community and sent shockwaves through both Ohio and Meyers’ hometown of Fairfield, Connecticut.
A Morning Emergency at “The Horseshoe”
Fire crews were dispatched to the iconic Ohio Stadium around 9:56 a.m. that Thursday after a report of a body found inside the facility. Within hours, the university confirmed that a student had died and later identified him as Meyers.
In its statement, Ohio State said “foul play is not suspected and there is no ongoing threat to the community.” University officials also urged students to seek help through Counseling and Consultation Services, adding, “Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”
Who Was William Meyers?
Friends and classmates described Meyers as kind, ambitious, and deeply involved in giving back. A third-year accounting major, he had co-founded a small nonprofit with his brother that collected and donated sports equipment to community centers and youth programs.
On his LinkedIn profile, Meyers wrote: “Some of my core values are respect, ethics, improvement, and integrity — all of which I want to bring with me when I enter the workforce.”
He also mentioned his love for Scrabble and performing magic tricks, small passions that those close to him say reflected his gentle, thoughtful spirit.
A former classmate from Fairfield Ludlowe High School, where Meyers graduated in 2023, told local media, “Will was the type of person who made everyone around him feel seen. He had a light about him that you couldn’t ignore.”
A Pattern of Tragedy at Ohio Stadium
Meyers’ death comes just over a year after another suicide inside the same stadium. In May 2024, Larissa Brady, 53, took her life during Ohio State’s spring commencement ceremony, an event that drew national attention and renewed conversations about mental health on college campuses.
Mental health advocates have since urged universities to improve outreach and peer-support systems, warning that many students face pressure that often goes unseen.
A Community in Mourning
In Fairfield, friends and family have held small vigils and posted tributes online. One post read simply: “We love you, Will. You mattered more than you knew.”
As the Ohio State community grieves another young life lost too soon, officials emphasize that help is available for anyone struggling.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org to connect with trained counselors, available 24/7 across the U.S.
Source: PEOPLE / The Columbus Dispatch
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