University Mourns CAS Student

Jai Menon was economics major

Jai Menon

Economics major Jai Menon (CAS’19) was from Briarcliff Manor, N.Y. Photo courtesy of the Menon family

March 30, 2016
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The identity of the male freshman found dead at Kilachand Hall on Bay State Road Wednesday morning has been released. Jai Menon, from Briarcliff Manor, N.Y., was majoring in economics at the College of Arts & Sciences. He lived at Warren Towers. His death is not considered suspicious, says Scott Paré, BU deputy police chief and deputy director of public safety.

A Kilachand Hall resident assistant notified the Boston University Police Department and the Boston police at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday after a student reported seeing a body on the roof of Kilachand Commons.

According to David Zamojski, assistant dean of students and director of Residence Life, a representative from the BUPD met with Kilachand Hall residents last night at 7:30 p.m. in the hall’s Commons area to give an update on the investigation, and counselors were there and available to meet with students. Zamojski and Charles Dellheim, director of Kilachand Honors College, emailed all hall residents Wednesday morning about the incident and alerted them to the availability of counseling. 

President Robert A. Brown sent an email yesterday to all students and staff about the death. “First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers are with immediate family and friends who will, of course, be deeply affected by a sudden loss,” he wrote.

“Jai was a smart, hardworking, and kind student,” says Paloma Pueyo (GRS’15,’21), a teaching fellow in Menon’s Spanish class. “His classmates and I will sorely miss him and his wonderful presence in our class. Our hearts and thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”

Individual counseling support for students, faculty, and staff, on campus or abroad, can be arranged at any time through the following resources:

  • Marsh Chapel chaplains can be reached at 617-353-3560.
  • Behavioral Medicine providers at Student Health Services can be reached at 617-353-3569.
  • Sexual Assault Response & Prevention Center (SARP) counselors can be reached at 617-353-SARP (7277).
  • Counseling is also available for faculty and staff through the Faculty & Staff Assistance Office, 617-353-5381.
  • Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, 617-353-9610.

BU Today will provide updates as they become available.

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University Mourns CAS Student

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  • Rich Barlow

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    Rich Barlow is a senior writer at BU Today and Bostonia magazine. Perhaps the only native of Trenton, N.J., who will volunteer his birthplace without police interrogation, he graduated from Dartmouth College, spent 20 years as a small-town newspaper reporter, and is a former Boston Globe religion columnist, book reviewer, and occasional op-ed contributor. Profile

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Boston University moderates comments to facilitate an informed, substantive, civil conversation. Abusive, profane, self-promotional, misleading, incoherent or off-topic comments will be rejected. Moderators are staffed during regular business hours (EST) and can only accept comments written in English. Statistics or facts must include a citation or a link to the citation.

There are 62 comments on University Mourns CAS Student

  2. My heart breaks for this young man’s friends and family. It is going to be difficult for all KHC residents to recover from such a tragedy.

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  3. My heart is broken. My deepest condolences to this family.
    My prayers have been with whoever you are all day. May God fill you
    with HIS graces and strength.

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  6. I am devastated to hear this news. I know how painful this journey will be. I will be sending thoughts of strength and peace to Jai’s family. I hope they will find some comfort in the outpouring of love.

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  8. I also want to encourage the University to offer support to the kids at Warren Towers where Jai lived. I’m sure it was very traumatic to the kids at Kilachand as there must have been a great deal of activity there, but ALL of the kids who were connected to Jai in various ways – as friends of a friend or seeing him in classes or at Warren – will be affected.

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    1. Support from University counseling entities has been offered to Warren Towers residents and will offered at every class he was in over the next few days. If your student has yet to have the class they had with Jai and haven’t yet received outreach, we encourage them to reach out to the offices listed above or walk over to their RA or hall office as soon as possible.

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  10. Nobody can understand how hard a separation is, than when one of our prized jewels leaves us. You search for it and it cannot be found, you ask for him and he does not hear you, you wait and he is not coming. It remains only his eternal memory in our hearts. We will miss you Jai!

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  11. So sad!! My deepest condolences to Jai’s family and friends. He will be missed by his near and dear ones. I know KHC hall students were shocked and very sad yesterday. May god give strength to the family, friends, class mates and KHC residents to get through this pain, shock and sadness.

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  12. We are shocked from this sad news. Our sincere condolences to the parents and family of Jai Menon. May god give the family and friends strength and courage
    at this time of grief.

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  13. The students and staff at The Bushido School of Karate have lost a very dear family member. Sempai Jai Menon was dedicated, kind, worked hard and was loved by all of us. We are at a loss for words and can only support each other and the Menon Family at this time. Rest in peace Sempai Menon, rest in peace. Osu Sempai

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  14. Does anyone know if Jai was a member of any student organizations (clubs, frats, sports etc)? They probably need counceling too if he was…

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    1. I am very sad to hear about the passing of Sempai Jai.He always pushed me to my limits in karate classes and will be missed by all of us. He was a good Sempai. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. Osu Sempai

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  21. Our deepest condolences to the parents, family and friend of Jai. May he rest in peace in the arms of angels and may his family find comfort in each other. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you.

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  22. Our deepest condolences to the parents, family and friends of Jai. May he rest in peace in the arms of angels and my his family find comfort in each other. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you all.

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  23. We send our love and deepest sympathies to Jai’s family and loved ones. May he rest in peace and may his family find comfort in their memories and the love and comfort of those around them. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.

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    1. Jack,
      Little Buddy — We understand your pain. Be there for Jai’s brother right now, and know that you’re not alone in your grief. Hang in there fella. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Menon family and with you.

      *Hugs*

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    2. Hi Jack, are you ok? I imagine this is a big loss for you, I hope you are OK yourself. Please talk to someone about your feelings and about the loss of Jai.

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    3. Jack, your comment was wonderfully appreciated. It is very healthy to express your thoughts… although I know for all of us- whether we knew Jai or not- it is very tough to find the words. Keep talking about your feelings. And hug Neel. Tell him it is from his large BU family of students and parents. We thank you.

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    4. Jack, A big hug to you. We know it is not easy for you. We are also very sad for Jai’s family. Be there for Neel and keep talking to your parents about your feelings. Our sympathies and prayers are with Jai’s family.

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      1. Thanks to all the BU parents who responded to our son Jack with such kind words. Did not realize he found this article. We are all heartbroken for the Menon family and our prayers and love are with them.

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    5. Jack,
      I share your feelings, I am a friends with Jai’s mom and I feel like I have lost a son too.I have been very shaken when I got to know this; but at this time, Jai and his family need our prayers and support. Please take care of yourself young man and do give Neel the hugs and support he needs from you. Assure Neel that he not only has a friend but a brother in you. God Bless you.

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  26. Saddened by the news. Sending our deepest condolences to the family of Jai. May he find peace at the feet of The Lord and the family finds the strength to carry on.

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  28. Many thoughts and prayers are with the BU students, faculty and staff and especially Jai’s family while you all attempt to deal with this tragedy.

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  30. I’m so sad for Jai’s family and all the BU students and teachers may he rest in peace. My son is a freshman at Warren Towers too and this really hits close to home for me it could’ve been my child. As a parent you have to let your children go but hope they can manage the pressures and stress in life ahead. Prayers and hugs!!

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    1. Neel,
      Yes Jai was the best brother ever and he will always be. You are a brave young man and I know you will be the best son ever as you comfort your parents and family in this difficult time. I want you to know that I have been praying very hard for you and your parents to find the strength during this very difficult time.

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      1. Neel,
        Please know that you are not alone, young man. There are many grieving hearts at BU, those who knew and those who did not get the chance to know your wonderful brother. I am sure he was best brother ever. You and your parents are constantly in my thoughts and prayers. And thanks so much for sharing your feelings. I am sure you are a great comfort to your parents.

        *Hugs*

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    3. Osu Neel, we share your wonderful feelings for your brother. Sempai was so important to us too, as are you and your mom and dad. Sending prayers, hugs and a respectful bow to you Neel. Thankfully, Sempai left us with beautiful memories because he was a beautiful person. And he was proud to be your big brother. Osu

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    4. Neel,

      Alexander, his dad & I all want you to know we are here for you & your family.
      As strong as you are, accept the love & support of your friends & community.

      Love the Annise family.

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  32. I am shocked and in tears to hear this devastating news of sudden death of a Jai. My heartfelt condolences to the family of friends of Jai. May God give you strength and comfort to deal with this sudden loss of your loved ones. Sending love and healing prayers to all of you who are grieving in pain. Lots of love and hugs.

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  34. We would like to send our sympathy, prayers, thoughts and love to Jai’s family. We have fond memories of Sempei Menon: training and testing together — he was a regular part of our Bushido family and life. With kindest regards, Sempeis Richard, Priscilla and John Cole.

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  37. I am heartbroken for this child and his family.I pray God gives them strength and peace during this difficult time. My child too is a freshman at a different college which very recently experienced a similar tragedy at a freshman dorm there! My daughter is friends with some of Jai’s friends from our town…she’s been deeply saddened by this tragic news and wishes to convey her heartfelt condolences to Jai’s family.

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  38. My heart goes out to the family of Jai. May God Rest His Soul In Peace. May God give strength to his parents and little brother at this time of crisis. Our prayers are with you all.

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  39. My sincerest condolences to family and friends. Any loss of life at this age is nothing short of tragic. May we take Jai’s life as a lesson to bring empathy and compassion into our daily actions and increase their presence on campus.

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  40. I’m deeply Saddened by the news. Words are not adequate to express my sorrow!! May God rest his soul in peace and give strength to Menon family to bear this immense loss.

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  41. Jai was a wonderful student. I am so sad and shocked by his suddenly death. My thoughts and prayers are with Jai’s family…
    Yiqing Shen

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  42. As a member of the BU faculty who teaches and loves our first-year students, I am deeply saddened by the loss of Jai Menon. May all those who were touched by his spirit be filled with compassion. Requiescet in pace, Jai Menon.

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  43. I am Jai’s Mom’s friend. We are still in shock with this news. Can’t express my sorrow in words. My heart goes out to the family. May God give them strength to face this difficult time. You all are in our thoughts and Prayers. May departed young soul rest in peace.

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  46. My sons trained in Karate with Jai when they were all just children. I can still remember Jai’s smiling face as a young boy. His parents were wonderful, always loving and supportive. My heart and my prayers go out to Jai, his family, and everyone who Jai touched with his smile.

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  47. We just heard of the tragic news. We are colleagues of his Father and like all, we all we wish we could change things. Our deepest sympathies to Girish and all the family and to Jai’s friends. You have all written beautiful words, it’s a testament to the beauty of Jai.
    God Bless

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