December 15, 2009

First Year Darden Business student Justin Key died unexpectedly on Monday, December 14. According to a Facebook memorial page in his honor, and the Christian University he attended, The Torrey Honors Institute at Biola University, Key died from a bad case of the H1N1 Swine Flu virus.

“It is too early for us to know the details,” said Darden’s Dean Bob Bruner in an e-mail to the Darden students, faculty and staff Monday evening. “But we will make them available to the community as appropriate.”

Key’s life is being celebrated virtually on the Darden School’s Facebook page.

The Scriptorium, the Torrey Institute's online newspaper, says that Key woke up unable to move on Monday, and immediately called 911. They say doctors reported that Justin had a case of the Swine Flu, and that is what ultimately took his life.

The Key family's church had this to say on Facebook:

"Needless to say, we are shocked, extremely heartbroken, and at a loss for understanding God’s will with this. We do know that God is sovereign and that there is purpose in all things. But understand that right now it’s going to be a very difficult time for the Keys as they process this tragedy."

With at least 800 confirmed cases of the flu in students at UVA, the university has made available an estimated 38 hundred doses of the vaccination to at-risk students in recent weeks.

Final exams ended Friday at Darden, so most of the students are no longer on grounds. Still, should students require any assistance, they are encouraged to utilize the resources at the School or University:

• University of Virginia’s Counseling & Psychological Services Center 434.924.5556

According to the Darden School website, the Office of Student Affairs is talking with students about a memorial-type activity to be held after the Holiday Break.