Chico State student Alexandra Wynter, 28, was killed in what the Chico Police Department believes is a case of domestic violence. Her body, along with her partner Anthony Lopez’s body, was found by officers in their shared home on Dec. 3, according to a press release from the police department.
The University Flag was lowered Thursday to honor the loss that has deeply affected the campus community and those who knew her. A banner was also displayed on Butte Hall, and chalk covered the ground, calling for remembrance of the victims and an end to domestic violence.
Wynter was majoring in biological sciences — she was set to graduate this spring. She was described by faculty as “personable, engaged and serious about her studies” in an email sent Friday by Chico State President Steve Perez.
When you search the web for Alexandra Wynter, you’ll see several articles about her work in the community, such as bringing supplies to homeless encampments and organizing rallies. She worked for Community Action Volunteer in Education from the moment she started at Chico State in 2016, and up until 2020.
On campus, she participated in the Black Student Union and was dedicated to her studies, showing integrity and dedication, according to an email sent by Perez.
Wynter worked closely with current City Councilmember Addison Winslow in 2020 to coordinate a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as mutual aid efforts.
“Alex was intelligent, well-organized, and had warmth and kindness that made her an ideal street outreach worker and balance to my more rugged style of organizing,” Winslow said in a Facebook post.
After 2020, Wynter left Chico State to work for Enloe Health until returning in 2024, balancing both work and her academic pursuits. While seeking a degree in cellular and molecular biology, she planned to attend to medical school, according to an article from Chico State Today.
“All evidence collected thus far supports the press release from December 5th that Ms. Wynter and Mr. Lopez lived together on Warner St and that Mr. Lopez was responsible for the death of both Ms. Wynter and himself,” said Ben Love, police lieutenant for the Chico Police Department.
Detectives are still collecting evidence, he added in an email to The Orion.
This would be the second domestic violence case involving a Chico State student resulting in murder to occur within nine months. Athena Passidakis, 21, was set to graduate last spring with a degree in health services administration. She was shot and killed in a murder-suicide by her ex-boyfriend after being abducted.
Passidakis was one of 20 people in Northern California killed in cases of domestic violence last year, according to Catalyst Domestic Violence Services.
In October, Catalyst held an annual event called Flowers on the Creek to honor the victims of domestic violence. Petals were released into the creek that runs through campus to honor the memories of those who were lost.
On Chico State’s campus, the Title IX office received 11 reports of domestic violence and 17 reports of dating violence from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024.
Nationwide, about 41% of women and 26% of men reported experiencing domestic violence, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
For those experiencing, or know of someone who is experiencing domestic violence, there are services available on campus and around Chico. Perez’s email points to services such as the Title IX office, WellCat Counseling Center and Catalyst.
There is also a National Domestic Violence Hotline that can be reached by texting “start” to 88788.
“We lower the University Flag for deceased students and employees, and deceased retirees,” said Ashley Gebb, interim Chief of Staff to the Office of the President and Executive Director of University Communications.
Chris Hutton can be reached at [email protected] or [email protected]
