Local News

Student from Dunwoody falls to death at Clemson football stadium

By Alexis Stevens
Dec 1, 2015

A 19-year-old student from Dunwoody fell more than 120 feet to his death Tuesday morning at Clemson University’s Memorial Stadium.

Michael Joseph Allen, a Clemson freshman, was found shortly after 8 a.m. by a stadium employee, according to Deputy Coroner Gary Duncan with the Pickens County, S.C., Coroner’s Office.

“He hadn’t been there very long,” Duncan told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The last home game for the Clemson football team was Nov. 21.

Allen fell a distance of 123 feet, 8 inches, but it was not known whether he fell or jumped, Duncan said. An autopsy will be conducted.

The death remains under investigation by University police and the State Law Enforcement Division, but foul play is not suspected.

“There is no threat to the campus,” University Police Chief Eric Hendricks said in an emailed statement.

Allen was a pre-business major at Clemson. The University offered its condolences to his family and friends.

“Our hearts go out to the Allen family, friends and his fellow classmates,” said Almeda Jacks, Clemson’s vice president for student affairs. “A death is always hard, for it impacts us all, but even more difficult at this time of year. We send our thoughts and prayers out for the loss of this member of our Clemson family.”

About the Author

Alexis Stevens is a member of the Crime and Public Safety team.

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