Unraveling Tragedies: Investigations Involving Arcadia University Students

The Arcadia University community has faced profound grief in recent times, grappling with the loss of students under tragic circumstances. This article delves into two separate incidents: the ongoing investigation into the deaths of two Arcadia High School teens in a remote area of Maricopa County, Arizona, and the heart-wrenching death of an Arcadia University student in a highway accident in Pennsylvania. These events highlight the fragility of life and the far-reaching impact of tragedy on families, friends, and the broader academic community.

The Mount Ord Mystery: Investigation into the Deaths of Pandora Kjolsrud and Evan Clark

Two months have passed since the bodies of two Arcadia High School teens, 18-year-old Pandora Kjolsrud and 17-year-old Evan Clark, were discovered with gunshot wounds at a remote campsite on Mount Ord, located east of the Valley in Maricopa County, Arizona. The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office is the lead agency on this case. As of this week, there have been no arrests. Authorities have still not said if this was a targeted attack or completely random.

Challenges in Wilderness Crime Scene Investigation

The remote location of the crime scene presents significant challenges for investigators. Retired FBI Agent Martin Hellmer spoke about how crime scenes in the wilderness pose specific challenges compared to crime scenes in the city. “It’s wilderness. Where does the crime scene end, and where does it begin? How far out do detectives need to go to comb that area?” Hellmer said. “There are many logistical challenges conducting an investigation in this sort of environment. Specifically, when it comes to evidence collection, evidence preservation and finding evidence.”

Arizona’s Family sent a crew to the site two months ago, where they had to take a narrow dirt road that winds up the mountainside, using 4-wheel drive. Accessing the site alone is difficult, requiring specialized vehicles. With no surveillance cameras, Hellmer said key evidence for an area such as this would be tire tracks, footprints, shell casings, and other items that could be difficult to find, especially if you don’t know how big the crime scene truly is. Then, getting the evidence off the mountain to be analyzed is another hurdle.

Safety Recommendations for Remote Campsites

Given the inherent risks associated with remote locations, Hellmer recommends letting someone know where you’re going and for how long. He recommends investing in either a satellite phone or some devices that can make calls or texts in remote areas. “Folks need to go out to their campsite with a plan to protect themselves, against the elements, against wildlife, and against other people,” he said.

Read also: Arcadia University Fees

Tragedy on the Turnpike: The Death of Kelly C. O'Brien

In a separate incident, the Arcadia University community mourned the loss of student Kelly C. O'Brien, who died in a tragic accident on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Bensalem.

Friends and family are mourning an Arcadia University student who died after a tractor-trailer fell onto her vehicle on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Bensalem Monday afternoon. The entangled vehicles went off-road, partially up an embankment, where the trailer tipped onto the smaller vehicle, trapping O'Brien in her car, said police. Crews used a crane to lift the big rig off her car. O'Brien died from her injuries however. Officials initially said other passengers were trapped inside the vehicle as well. The big rig driver -- identified by state police as Matthew Bradley of Benton Harbor, Michigan -- was also injured in the crash and taken to Frankford Torresdale Hospital where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Officials also say the 2016 Peterbilt truck, which had markings for Baltimore, Maryland-based Cowan Systems on the trailer, was carrying 20,000 pounds of either liquid detergent or soap. Police closed all eastbound lanes of the Turnpike for hours as crews investigated.

University Response and Grief Support

"Our condolences as well as our thoughts and prayers are with Kelly’s family, friends, and loved ones," wrote Arcadia University president Nicolette DeVille Christensen in a released statement. "We encourage any Arcadia community member who may want assistance or need to talk during this difficult time to visit Counseling Services on the ground floor of Heinz Hall or call the office at 215-572-2967.

Arcadia University: More Than Just Tragedy

Arcadia University offers a wide range of programs and opportunities for its students.

Academics and Global Perspective

Lots of colleges claim to give their students a "global perspective," but Arcadia really delivers. It has a phenomenal study abroad program with "many pathways" for international study and travel. Students "tend to get addicted to it," and many go aboard two or more times during their college career. Arcadia has lots of popular and well-respected majors, including physical therapy, art, theater, and the sciences. The English and secondary education major sums Arcadia up best by saying, "What really brings people here is the study abroad program.

Read also: Your Guide to Arcadia University

Student Life and Campus Culture

Many students go to Arcadia because of its stellar study abroad program, and it attracts people who are "independent, creative," "adventurous, and [those who] have a bit of a craziness about them." A chemistry student says, "There are a lot of weird people at Arcadia, but that's…why I feel comfortable there." Many students commute or are from the area, and lots go home on the weekends, but students are "very involved in clubs and community service" during the week. The population is predominantly female, but it's "diverse" and has a lot of international students as well as "a pretty decent gay population." There is a small divide between "athletes and art freaks," but most people think the school isn't very cliquey.

Campus Environment and Facilities

The focal point of Arcadia's campus is the "stunning" Grey Towers Castle, which some students are lucky enough to "dorm" in. Arcadia has a large commuter population, and because so many of its students are often abroad, "there's not much to do" on campus, and it can "get very dull at times." There are, however, "weekend programs run by RAs and Student Life" that are "very fun and exciting." Luckily, Philadelphia and its excellent cultural and social options are only 20 minutes away. Some think that "the student facilities are very poor," but there is a nice "commuter lounge, which is a pretty popular place for commuters to chill and to get to know one another." Everyone agrees that "Arcadia is definitely not a party school." "Students still party," but "they simply find their own scene." "People…have their own styles," at Arcadia, and "that's a part of what makes Arcadia great."

Transportation to Arcadia University

SEPTA's Regional Rail system is a convenient and easy way to reach campus. The closest station to campus is the Glenside Station. The Lansdale/Doylestown, Warminster and Airport rail lines stop at the Glenside Station. Trains to Glenside are available from many stations in the area, including the Philadelphia Airport, Suburban, Jefferson (formerly Market East) and 30th Street Stations in Center City Philadelphia. Campus is a short 15-minute walk from Glenside Station. After getting off of the train, walk down the stairs to Easton Road and turn right, towards Glenside Avenue.

From Philadelphia International Airport: Take Route 95 south to Route 476 North (Plymouth Meeting), to the PA Turnpike Interchange. At entrance, bear right, take the PA turnpike east toward NJ. Take the Fort Washington exit (#339, old #26). Proceed south on Route 309 approximately 5 miles to the second Easton Road exit (Glenside). Follow the exit ramp around onto Easton Road. From the Pennsylvania Turnpike: Take the Fort Washington exit (#339, old # 26). Proceed south on Route 309 approximately 5 miles to the second Easton Road exit (Glenside). From I-95, the Tacony Palmyra Bridge or the Betsy Ross Bridge: Take Route 73 (Cottman Avenue) west to Arcadia University, located at the junction of 73 (which has then become Church Road) and Route 152 (Limekin Pike). From the Commodore Barry Bridge, Delaware or points south: Take I-95 north to 476 North (Plymouth Meeting). Take 276 East (the Pennsylvania Turnpike). From southern New Jersey and the Walt Whitman Bridge: Follow signs from your area to the Walt Whitman Bridge. Cross bridge and follow signs for Route 76 West (Schuylkill Expressway). Follow to Lincoln Drive ((#340A, old #32); follow Lincoln Drive to Emlen Street. Turn left on Emlen (which changes to Cresheim Valley Drive) and follow until it dead-ends on Stenton Ave. Turn right on Stenten and move left immediately turning left at first light (Ivy Hill Road). Take Ivy Hill until it dead-ends and turn right on Cheltenham Ave. Turn left at first light, Easton Road. You will go through one light then pass the entrance to Route 309. From northern New Jersey: Take the New Jersey Turnpike to the Pennsylvania Turnpike exit (#6). Go west on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Forensic Science Program at Arcadia University

A Master of Science in Forensic Science (MSFS) is a postgraduate degree that focuses on the application of science to the purposes of law. It is a highly interdisciplinary field that has become a vital part of judicial and regulatory systems worldwide. Using ever evolving technologies, you learn to perform tests on weapons or substances, such as hair, fibers, and tissue, to determine their significance to criminal investigations. Additionally, you train as specialists in areas like ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting and/or biochemistry.

The MSFS program at Arcadia University is one of a select few institutions in the country accredited by the Forensic Science Educations Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS). Our program provides high quality and professional forensic science and training through research in forensic biology/DNA, chemistry, toxicology and internship in criminalistics, forensic biology/DNA, chemistry, toxicology, medical death investigation and forensic autopsy. We are very proud of the success of our alumni, and this is highlighted through the career paths undertaken by our students. “The choice of moving across the country for the [Forensic Science Graduate Program] was a […] rewarding decision.

Curriculum Overview

Gain an in-depth review of crime scene processing and evaluation. Following an overview of documentation and collection of physical evidence from various types of crime scenes without contaminating the scene, students will be taught effective techniques for photographing the crime scene and for the collection of evidence such as latent fingerprints, shoe/tire impressions, trace evidence and biological materials. Students will be given the opportunity to reconstruct an entire crime scene for court presentation. Study introduction to the American criminal justice system. Constitution, the Pennsylvania Constitution, Federal (and State) Rules of Criminal Procedure, and Federal (and State) Rules of Evidence with particular emphasis on case law, students will develop a practical understanding of modern criminal jurisprudence. Special emphasis and consideration will be given to the ethical obligations of criminal justice practitioners, including judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, law enforcement officers and expert witnesses. Gain in-depth knowledge of the theories, techniques, and vocabulary of the unique field of forensic chemistry. This course covers forensic chemistry techniques and principles relating to controlled substances, ignitable liquids/fire debris and explosives. A review of organic and analytical chemistry as they relate to forensic chemistry will be discussed. Understand a robust background in the theories, techniques, and scientific vocabulary unique to the field of Forensic Serology and DNA Analysis. This course is designed to provide an in-depth view on chemical, physical, immunological, and microscopic methods to the examination and identification of body fluid stains as well as on the whole forensic DNA typing workflow including DNA isolation/extraction, quantification, polymerase chain reaction amplification, capillary electrophoresis and sequencing. Students will acquire a basic understanding of writing expert reports containing serology and DNA results and of expert witness testimony. Learn about the detection, identification, and quantitation of foreign chemicals (toxins) in the body. In order to accurately interpret toxicological findings it is essential that the toxicologist has an understanding of the pharmacology of that substance and the pathological effects it has on the body. In this context Forensic Toxicology can be divided into two categories, post-mortem toxicology and human performance toxicology. This course will provide the student with the skills for development of a detailed knowledge of the types of toxic substances and matrices encountered in Forensic Toxicology and the procedures by which these are tested in the laboratory. Students will also utilize their theoretical knowledge of pharmacology in the application to Forensic Toxicology casework.

Coroner's Office Visit

On Monday, Oct. 29, the Master of Science in Forensic Science (MSFS) first-year students visited the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office (MCCO) in Eagleville, Pa. During the visit, coordinated by Program Director Dr. Students heard from Deputy Coroners Amanda Brown and Joe Vizzarri about the process of medico-legal death investigation. This included everything from deciding what justifies a scene response, to how they determine a range for time of death based on several variables. Dr. Following the presentation, students were given a tour of the MCCO facilities. The tour included a chance to view the autopsy suite, coolers for storage, the transport bay, evidence storage, and more. This opportunity allowed further education and exploration into the worlds of medico-legal death investigation and forensic pathology.

Campus Legends and Lore

Arcadia University’s campus has long been believed to be haunted. A new book by Josh Hitchens ’07, Haunted History of Philadelphia, documents the origin stories of some of the most well-known campus hauntings. “There’s kind of everything,” Bleiweiss said in a 2020 podcast interview (below) with Nathalia Jara ’24, Elias Vazquez ’20, and Sophia Birks ’20. “There’s little boys without faces, there’s stories of star-crossed lovers, there’s suicides. There’s also the ghosts of the Harrison children that are just staying there because that was where they grew up and that was where they were happy as children. There’s ghosts of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison. The figure of a woman dressed in clothing from another time whom people have spotted around campus? “It is said today that if you are a student walking along this bridge at night, the streetlights will flicker on either side,” said Bleiweiss in an SCR ghost tour posted to YouTube in 2020. SCR’s members give ghost tours every year but were forced to do so virtually in 2020 due to the pandemic. Hitchens writes of two young boys whose ghosts haunt Murphy and Dilworth Halls. “There’s two boys around campus, and the first one lives in Heinz, and he is a little boy named Max, and he likes to torment roommates by moving furniture or playing with their phones.

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