A 20-year-old college student, Qingyang Zhan, was found dead in a parking lot near the Frank J. Woods Bridge in Topsham, Maine. The victim, originally from California, was attending Bowdoin College. Topsham Police responded to a report of a deceased person early Sunday morning and the woman’s body has been sent to the Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy. While the incident is still under investigation, authorities do not believe there is a threat to the public.
Bowdoin College President Safa Zaki released a statement informing the campus community of Zhan’s death, referring to her as K. Zhan, who was born in Shanghai, China, had been living in the U.S. since 2019 and started attending Bowdoin College in 2021. Described as bright and engaging by faculty members, Zhan was deeply interested in theological and philosophical questions. Zaki expressed sadness over the tragedy and extended condolences to Zhan’s family, friends, classmates, and the Bowdoin community. The college is offering extended counseling hours for students following Zhan’s death.
The death of Qingyang Zhan is a devastating loss for her family, loved ones, friends, classmates, and the entire Bowdoin College community. The circumstances of Zhan’s death are still unknown, making the news difficult to process. Zaki emphasized the importance of taking care of oneself and others during this challenging time, encouraging the community to come together for support. The college is providing additional counseling resources to help students cope with the loss of Zhan.
Zhan’s academic advisor at Bowdoin College, Jean Yarbrough, remembered her as a student who was deeply interested in exploring theological and philosophical questions. Faculty members described Zhan as a warm and kind presence, leaving a positive impact on those around her. Zhan’s untimely death has left the campus community heartbroken and in shock, as they struggle to come to terms with the loss of a bright young student. The college is working to support students and staff during this difficult time, as they mourn the tragic loss of Zhan.
Authorities are awaiting the results of the autopsy conducted on Zhan’s body to gain more insight into the circumstances surrounding her death. While the investigation is ongoing, Topsham Police do not believe there is a threat to the public related to Zhan’s death. The community is left grappling with the loss of a promising young student and the unanswered questions surrounding her untimely passing. As they seek to understand and process this tragedy, the campus is coming together to honor Zhan’s memory and provide support to those affected by her death.
The death of Qingyang Zhan serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the profound impact that individuals can have on those around them. Zhan’s bright personality and intellectual curiosity left a lasting impression on her peers and mentors at Bowdoin College. The community is left to grieve the loss of a promising young student whose life was cut short, as they seek to support one another and honor Zhan’s memory. Despite the heartbreak and shock of Zhan’s death, the campus community is banding together to remember and celebrate the life of a cherished member of their community.
