The University community was shocked and saddened at the news of 22-year-old sociology senior Chris Broussard’s death after police confirmed they found his body in his overturned truck near St. Gabriel Wednesday night.
Broussard was a founding member of the Theta Chi fraternity at the University, according to Matt Darouse, Theta Chi co-founder and Broussard’s friend.
Darouse, who now attends LSU Law School, said he and Broussard had been longtime friends, and they graduated together from Catholic High School in Baton Rouge.
“He cared deeply, not only about people in the fraternity, but about everyone he came across,” Darouse said. “He was just a really, really good guy.”
Since receiving the news, Darouse said he has been busy making arrangements for Broussard’s wake and funeral.
The wake will be held at Rabenhorst Funeral Home on Florida Blvd. Sunday from 3 to 7 p.m. The funeral service is Monday at Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church on Jefferson Highway; visitation is planned for 9:30 a.m., with a service to follow at 11:30 a.m.
University President F. King Alexander released a statement offering his condolences to Broussard’s friends and family Thursday.
“We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Chris Broussard,” Alexander said. “We send our deepest condolences to his family and friends during this time. It is always difficult for the LSU community to lose one of our own and grief counseling services are available to anyone from LSU impacted by this loss.”
In addition, Student Government President John Woodard released a statement Thursday offering condolences from SG to Broussard’s loved ones.
“[Broussard’s] humor, kindness and love for his school and country represented the best qualities of the LSU spirit,” Woodard’s statement read. “As we celebrate his life, we know his absence will create a lasting void on our campus.”
Broussard was reported missing Tuesday when he didn’t return to his parent’s house that morning, or arrive at his job at Exerfit Family Fitness on Tuesday. He left Bogie’s Bar around 1:30 a.m. before texting his parents that he would be home soon.
Wednesday evening, police reported they found a truck overturned in the grass of Bayou Manchac on the side of Highway 30 matching the description of Broussard’s. It was later confirmed the truck belonged to Broussard, and that Broussard had died in the crash.
“He was just a really, really good guy.”