TRENTON, N.J. – A 19-year-old student has been arrested in the death of 18-year-old freshman Justin Warfield at Rider University’s Westminster Choir College.
Nineteen-year-old Kieran Hunt allegedly sold heroin to Warfield and also participated in drug use in the campus parking lot.
Warfield, a musical composition major, was found unconscious at an off-campus apartment at 5 a.m. He was pronounced dead an hour later at University Medical Center. Authorities stated that he used heroin the night before, which played a role in his death. It is not clear whether Warfield died of an overdose.
Warfield’s death is the second for Rider University this year. In March, another college freshman consumed too much alcohol at a fraternity party, resulting in his death. Two university administrators and three students faced criminal charges. A university task force then developed new alcohol penalties, education and treatment.
According to his peers, Warfield was very talented and looked down on partying. He was finally recovering from a car accident that killed his friend, who was driving, and left Warfield severely injured a few years ago, they said.
Warfield’s death comes as a shock to many. Says Ian Pomerantz, one of Warfield’s friends, “He seemed very happy. I’ve never seen him not smiling.”
