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Death of OU Student Ruled an Accident

The state medical examiner’s office has ruled the death of a University of Oklahoma student an accident.
casey-cooke-ou-student-2010

KFOR Reporting

NORMAN, Okla. — The state medical examiner’s office has ruled the death of a University of Oklahoma student an accident.

School officials said Casey Cooke, 22, of Edmond, was found unresponsive near Evans Hall just before 3 a.m. Sunday by OU staff that patrols the area. They tried CPR but Cooke had already died.

The M.E.’s Office said Cooke died as a result of blunt-force trauma to the head and chest when she fell from the roof or fire escape of Evans Hall. It will take a few more weeks for the toxicology reports which will show if Cooke had alcohol or drugs in here system at the time of the accident.

Her uncle said it is still unclear why she was climbing the fire escape alongside Evans Hall.

Word of her death quickly spread across the OU campus.

Many of her friends were devastated by the news.

“She was my best friend, other half, and the sister I never had. She had the most beautiful smile and laugh that could light up an entire room. My life has been forever changed by Casey,” friend Taylor Hall said.

Cooke was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority.

The sorority house is closed for the summer but in an email her sorority sisters said, “She shined bright and was always beaming from ear to ear. She was there for anyone in an instant and always had the nicest and most positive things to say about people.”

Family members said Cooke planned to attend medical school after she graduated with a degree in Zoology.

Before college, she was a cheerleader at Edmond North High School and the Valedictorian of her class in 2008.

“She was so smart and so beautiful inside and out. She was easy to get along with and I know that because of our friendship I am a better person,” childhood friend Madelyn Russell said.

Cooke was enrolled for the fall semester but was not enrolled for summer classes.

Friends described her as outgoing and very popular.

“Casey was the most loyal and kind-hearted friend I have ever had,” friend Zak Hensley said. “You could not help but love her. She had a passion for excitement and life and put her heart into everything she did. She touched the lives of many people. Heaven gained a beautiful angel and all who loved her will miss her greatly.”

Cooke’s funeral service is Thursday June 7, at 10 a.m. at Chapel Hill.

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