UNC student's death remains a mystery
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WTVD) -- How a UNC student died last week will likely come down to toxicology report, according to Chapel Hill investigators.
Harris Pharr, 21, a rising senior majoring in biomedical engineering, was found dead in his apartment in the 500-block of Pittsboro Street on Thursday evening. Police say the student died hours before they responded to a 911 call for help.
An autopsy is pending.
The incident report obtained by ABC11 shows at least one of Pharr's parents arrived at the scene along with friends and other visitor to the apartment building.
"It was very emotional," said one eyewitness, who did not know Pharr, but was questioned by police.
While police do not suspect foul play, answers in Pharr's mysterious death would comfort his friends who describe Pharr as an intelligent and friendly student with a promising future.
"He always had something to do," recalled Kenan Drum, the president of UNC's Interfraternity Council. "He always had a lab or a paper to write. He always found the time to smile, to laugh, and to make you laugh."
Pharr's death marks the second tragedy to strike the UNC chapter of the Chi Phi fraternity. David Shannon, a Chi Phi pledge, fell to his death more than a year ago.
Drum told ABC11 that the IFC Standard Review Board has a pending investigation of the fraternity unrelated to either of the students' deaths.
"It's unfortunate that they've had to deal with the passing of two of their brothers. It's such a supportive group at Chi Phi and our hearts go out to them for their loss," said Drum.
The shocking loss hits close to home for Shannon's parents, Hugh and Katy Shannon, of Charlotte. They continue to promote safety and awareness among UNC's Greek system.
"Our hearts go out to the Pharr family," said Hugh Shannon, emphasizing that he is unaware of the circumstances surrounding Pharr's death.
Shannon will return to the UNC campus in September to speak with pledges about making better choices that could save lives.
"Most kids get through college. Most college students make bad choices, maybe they get in trouble, maybe they get injured but they don't die," stressed Shannon, recalling a recent student death at his alma mater, UVA. "Some of them die-- David and others. How do we help get through so a few years they'll look back on their college experiences and be able to do that instead of having grieving parents, grieving brothers and sisters, grieving grandparents, grieving friends?"
