Waynesburg student’s death not suspicious, says university
A Waynesburg student athlete who was found dead in his dorm room Sunday was a person others looked up to, even if he didn鈥檛 realize it, said his former trainer.
Bradley Grinnen, 21, of Ellwood City was a junior defensive lineman for the Yellow Jackets. He was pronounced dead at 11:22 a.m. Sunday.
Grinnen was 鈥渁 great kid鈥� and 鈥渁 mature leader,鈥� said Ali Herr, one of his athletic trainers at Lincoln High School in Ellwood City.
鈥淭he other kids wanted to be Brad and looked up to him, even more than Brad knew,鈥� she said.
She described Grinnen as a tenacious athlete who refused to let injuries slow him down.
鈥淲hen he would injure something, he wouldn鈥檛 dare come to me for assistance or advice. He was going to play the game or fight the match no matter what I said,鈥� she said.
Autopsy results have not yet been released. His death was not suspicious, according to a statement issued by the university.
Waynesburg Borough police Chief Robert Toth said Monday his department was notified by the university at around 10:30 a.m. and that the incident poses 鈥渘o threat to public safety.鈥�
Toth also commended the university for their cooperation in the police investigation.
鈥淲e are cooperating fully with the authorities, who are investigating the situation,鈥� said Ashley Wise, university director of relations, through a written statement. 鈥淲e have been assured that it is not a suspicious death, and there is no perceived threat to the public.鈥�
The university held a prayer vigil inside Roberts Chapel on campus for Grinnen Sunday evening.
Grinnen earned first-team honors in the Presidents鈥� Athletic Conference in 2016. He led the team with 48 tackles last year. He also made eight sacks during the year for a total loss of 41 yards, and four sacks in one game against the Muskingum University Fighting Muskies of New Concord, Ohio, according to the university鈥檚 statistics page.
An autopsy was performed Monday afternoon, but the results will not be released for several days, according to Greene County Coroner鈥檚 office.
Steve Barrett contributed to this report.