The University is in mourning after student Keller Zibilich, a finance freshman and member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, died Saturday in Herget Hall.
The death is being investigated as a suicide by LSU Police, according to University Relations. LSUPD had not elaborated further on the status of the case as of Sunday.
“The LSU family was saddened to hear about the passing of Michael [Keller] Zibilich,” Chancellor Michael Martin said in a prepared statement. “This is a tragic situation, and our hearts go out to his family, friends and everyone he touched while at LSU. We encourage anyone who would like some help in dealing with this loss to speak with a grief counselor at the Student Health Center.”
As soon as news of the incident broke, social media flooded with an outpouring of prayers, condolences and memories of Zibilich, a 19-year-old from Georgia who was considered a “best friend” by many.
Those close to Zibilich gathered at the Sigma Chi fraternity house on Sunday to mourn privately. More than 40 Sigma Chi members attended a Sunday mass at Christ the King Catholic Church, where Father Bob Stine acknowledged their mourning and offered Zibilich up as a special mass intention.
Word of Zibilich’s passing first began to spread Saturday afternoon. History freshman August Williams recalled walking back to his dorm room in Herget that day when he noticed numerous emergency vehicles surrounding the building. He said he was later told a suicide had occurred on the fifth floor, where Williams also lives.
Haeden Griggs, international trade and finance freshman, said she knew Zibilich from a young age.
“Keller was the best person,” Griggs said. “It’s hard to put him in a nutshell.”
She said she and Zibilich would bicker like siblings when they were children, earning the nicknames “Phil and Lil” from their parents.
Growing up with Zibilich guaranteed her a constant companion, and even though they lived in different states, the friends would always see each other when they routinely visited North Carolina together, Griggs said.
Griggs recalled time spent kayaking with Zibilich in North Carolina, an activity she said he poured himself into. He saved all his money for kayaking gear and worked at an outdoor center in North Carolina during the summer, she said.
“He wanted to be the best kayaker on the river,” she said.
Zibilich was determined in everything he did and always worked for what he wanted, Griggs said.
The two decided to go to college together.
“He told me he’d go wherever I go. He was always there for me,” she said.
Griggs said coming to LSU with Zibilich was special because she got to see him every day and talk to him constantly.
“He was my best friend.”
 
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Contact Brian Sibille at [email protected]