Travis High School cancels classes after student found dead outdoors on campus

Keri Heath, Austin American-Statesman
Updated ·2 min read
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Austin interim school Superintendent Matias Segura hugs Assistant Superintendent Lakesha Drinks after a student's body was found outside Travis Early College High School on Thursday morning. Police say there is no threat to the public.
Austin interim school Superintendent Matias Segura hugs Assistant Superintendent Lakesha Drinks after a student's body was found outside Travis Early College High School on Thursday morning. Police say there is no threat to the public.

The Austin school district canceled classes Thursday at Travis Early College High School, 1211 E. Oltorf St., after staffers found the body of an 11th grade student on the campus grounds, district officials said.

Travis High will also be closed Friday, according to the district.

Students and staff weren't in danger and the campus was safe, Austin school district Police Chief Wayne Sneed said during a news conference Thursday morning.

Campus staff members found the body of the teenage girl outside on the southwestern side of campus and flagged a district police officer doing a regular patrol about 7:39 a.m. Thursday, Sneed said. Emergency responders arrived on campus about a minute later, and a Travis County medical examiner's representative pronounced the girl dead about 7:55 a.m., Sneed said.

By 8:30 a.m., district officials canceled classes for the day and sent a notice to parents. The district posted a tweet just before 9 a.m. Thursday announcing the cancellation.

"It's obviously a very sad moment for us today, and our Travis High School community, AISD community," Austin school district Police Chief Wayne Sneed said at a news conference Thursday after the body of an 11th grade student was found at Travis High.
"It's obviously a very sad moment for us today, and our Travis High School community, AISD community," Austin school district Police Chief Wayne Sneed said at a news conference Thursday after the body of an 11th grade student was found at Travis High.

Students hadn't yet begun classes when staff members found the body, Sneed said. School staffers and some students in extracurricular activities were on campus, he said.

"It's obviously a very sad moment for us today, and our Travis High School community, AISD community," Sneed said.

The medical examiner has not yet determined the girl's cause of death, Sneed said, and her identity had not been publicly released by Thursday afternoon.

"Right now, our focus is on supporting our students, our staff," interim Superintendent Matias Segura said. "Many of us are hurting and just wanting to figure out how to support them better. Today has been a challenge for all of us."

The district provides students and staff with emotional support, such as licensed mental health professionals and counselors, for anyone who might need those resources, Sneed said.

The high school will open Friday from 9 a.m. to noon but only as a counseling center for students and staff who need support, Travis High Principal Elizabeth Salinas said in a letter to parents. The district also emphasized that anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts should call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.

Thursday was only the fourth day of school for Austin students. The district's schools opened for the 2023-24 school year on Monday.

An Austin school police officer stands guard after a body was found on the southwestern side of the Travis High campus in South Austin.
An Austin school police officer stands guard after a body was found on the southwestern side of the Travis High campus in South Austin.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Student found dead at Travis Early College High; classes canceled