Police investigating death of 20-year-old student at Australian Catholic University

A woman died at the Australian Catholic University on Monday. Photo: File.

A man has been charged over the alleged supply of heroin as police investigate the death of a 20-year-old student who died at the Australian Catholic University’s campus in Watson on Monday (10 April).

Paramedics received a call for assistance at about 9:45 pm that night but were unable to revive the woman, an ACT Policing spokesperson said.

The ACU Canberra Campus Dean, Associate Professor Darius von Guttner, released a statement saying it was with “great sadness” that he advised of the student’s “unexpected death”.

“The student was living in our Blackfriars accommodation. Other students living in the residence have been offered counselling and alternative accommodation should they require it,” he said.

“The death of a young person is always upsetting, even more so on a small campus with a tight-knit community.

“It is important that fellow students and staff members be given space to process the information and to grieve.”

He said the university will be working closely with police as they make inquiries.

The police spokesperson said a 22-year-old Conder man had been accused of selling or supplying heroin to the woman and he appeared before the ACT Magistrates Court on Wednesday (12 April).

The man was handed a charge of sale/supply a prohibited substance and will appear in court again in the future.

Associate Professor von Guttner said the ACU understood the news of the student’s death would be distressing to some staff and students.

“ACU has many avenues of support and encourages staff and students to make use of them if they need to,” he said.