One dead after falling from Butte Hall stairwell

Julia Maldonado

Police on the scene between Butte and Plumas Hall after reports of a person falling off the Butte Hall stairs.

Update: Butte Hall will reopen Thursday for regular hours, departmental operations and classes, according to a Chico State alert.

The candlelight vigil will now be held in Shurmer Gym if there is rain.

Updated 5:37 p.m.

Update: According to an email announcement from Provost Debra Larson, Chico State junior Zachary Baggins died Wednesday morning. He was 20.

There will be a candlelight vigil Wednesday at 6 p.m. in Trinity Commons if weather permits. The vigil will be held in the Bell Memorial Union Auditorium if it rains.

Counseling is available through LifeMatters. Call 1-800-367-7474 or visit www.mylifematters.com, use the password: csuchico. For further information, visit www.csuchico.edu/eap/.

Updated at 3:51 p.m.

Update: Associated Students President Alisha Sharma sent an email to students regarding the Butte Hall incident Wednesday.

In the email, she states, “As we continue to process what happened, we recognize opportunities for our community to engage with and support each other. Our compassion, care and concern for one another are what makes us Wildcats.”

The email discusses the student-led candlelight vigil that will be held Wednesday at 6 p.m. and the counseling services offered to faculty, staff and students.

In conclusion, Sharma states, “If there is something you feel we can support you with, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us or others who also who also care for you. We’re here for you.”

Updated 5:47 p.m.

Update: According to an email announcement from President Hutchinson, the incident at Butte Hall, “appears to be a suicide, but the investigation is ongoing and there has not been a determination on the cause of death at this time.”

All classes in Butte Hall have been canceled until further notice. Classes in Plumas Hall will resume at noon.

Kayla Fitzgerald
Classes in Butte Hall have been canceled until further notice.

Crisis counseling services will be available in the Bell Memorial Union Auditorium until 5 p.m. The Hub in University Housing will be offering counseling after 5 p.m.

Students can also access walk-in services at the Counseling and Wellness Center in the Student Services Center room 430. The Counseling Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For other counseling information, call 530-898-6345 or visit www.csuchico.edu/counseling/.

Updated at 12:04 p.m.

Chico State released an alert stating that someone potentially fell from one of the stairwells in Butte Hall Wednesday morning.

Kayla Fitzgerald
Chico State alerted students of an incident at Butte Hall this morning.

Classes in Butte and Plumas Hall will resume at noon.

At this time, it is unknown if the victim was a Chico State student.

Check back for further updates.

Kayla Fitzgerald can be reached at [email protected] or @kaylafitz_20 on Twitter.