Student's death stuns Riverdale

Posted

People throughout Riverdale are mourning the Monday death of Trevor Duffy, a 19-year-old University at Albany-SUNY student who grew up in this neighborhood and had strong ties to church, sports and other organizations here.

Police in Albany said in the early hours of Sunday, officers came to a private house in response to a report of excessive alcohol consumption by Mr. Duffy and four other college students, also 19.

Police said after being taken to Albany Medical Center Hospital, Mr. Duffy — a graduate of St. Margaret’s of Cortona School and Xavier High School — died on Monday. The other men were reportedly treated and released.

“He was in rough shape from the very beginning,” Albany Police Chief Steven Krokoff said in a phone interview, adding that the investigation team is waiting for results of toxicology reports to determine the official cause of death. “It appeared to be all alcohol-related at that point.”

He added, “There was evidence of alcohol usage from beer to whisky and other hard liquor.”

Chief Krokoff said that there was a party going on at the time of the incident at 461 Hamilton St., but could not confirm initial news reports that suggested the excessive alcohol consumption was part of a hazing ritual.

Police do not believe that the incident involved a SUNY-sanctioned organization, but are investigating whether an underground fraternity might be involved.

“It does appear that it was some kind of group orientation,” said Chief Krokoff, who added that investigators plan to interview students for weeks to come.  “While we do have time-to-time issues with house parties, we don’t have this kind of tragic outcome often.”

Shock and sadness

Riverdalians reacted with shock and sadness as news of Mr. Duffy’s death spread on Monday.

Friends of the Duffys recalled the family’s third of seven children as a friendly, helpful young man who was active in a number of local organizations.

“He really was a Riverdale kid through and through,” said Maureen Kelly, 50, whose son was friends with Mr. Duffy since the first grade.

Trevor Duffy, St. Margaret's of Cortona, North Riverdale Baseball League, University of Albany, Tanisia Morris, Shant Shahrigian
Page 1 / 2

Comments