ENG Student Dies
Freshman was award-winning high school student

A BU freshman died early Saturday morning, three hours after being transported from an apartment in Allston to St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center. Anthony Barksdale II (ENG’16) was pronounced dead at the hospital. Boston EMS responded to a call shortly before 1 a.m. to 22 Wadsworth St.
The death is being investigated by Boston Police. BU Police say there was no indication of foul play.
“Whenever there is a death of one of our own it affects all of us,” says Kenneth Elmore (SED’87), BU dean of students. “Our entire community is deeply saddened. I hope that students will look out for each other. I hope they will use the resources that are available here, and I hope they reach out to friends, parents, and loved ones.”
Barksdale, who lived in the Towers residence at 140 Bay State Rd., was a 2012 graduate of Souhegan High School in Amherst, N.H., where he earned the Coach’s Award for varsity basketball, a U.S. Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence Award, and a Humanities Award. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Mu.
Counselors are available for grief counseling through the following:
- Marsh Chapel chaplains, who can be reached at 617-353-3560.
- Student Health Services, whose counselors can be reached at 617-353-3575; a behavioral medicine provider can be contacted at 617-353-3569.
- Trauma counselors at the Sexual Assault Response & Prevention Center, who can be reached at 617-353-7277.
- The Faculty and Staff Assistance Office, which can be reached at 617-353-5381.
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