SUNY Geneseo to Honor Murdered Students with Ceremony

GENESEO – SUNY Geneseo scheduled a remembrance ceremony for later this week to honor the lives of student athletes Kelsey Annese, 21, and Matthew Hutchinson, 24, both of whom were killed Sunday morning by a former student.

SUNY Geneseo President Denise Battles, who was inaugurated three months ago, spoke on behalf of the college at an afternoon press conference on Monday.

“It is a profoundly sad day at SUNY Geneseo and the village as we begin to mourn these heartbreaking deaths,” said Battles. “Most of our students are returning to campus following the winter break. It will likely be very difficult for many to face the new semester with this tragedy on their minds.”

SUNY Geneseo Vice President Robert Bonfilio and chief of SUNY Geneseo police Thomas Kilcullen also attended the press conference alongside Geneseo Police Chief Eric Osganian, Livingston County Sheriff Thomas Dougherty, New York State Police Major Craig Hanesworth, Livingston County District Attorney Greg McCaffrey, and Livingston County Coroner Joseph Calourie.

Classes will begin as scheduled for the spring semester on Tuesday. Tuesday night’s men’s and women’s basketball games have been canceled.

“We think our students will be comforted by keeping as much stability in their lives as possible, even during a difficult periods of mourning,” said Battles.

The College immediately made counseling services available to students, faculty and staff following news of the deaths on Sunday. The College has established an information page about the events of Jan. 17 and counseling availability schedules, accessible here.

The ceremony will be at 7 p.m. at Kuhl Gym on campus. See campus map here.

The flag flies at half staff on the college circle in memory of those lost in the tragedy.

“This is a difficult time for the College,” said Battles. “The Geneseo we know is a strong community, and together we will pull together in dealing with the aftermath of this tragedy.”