Temple University Student Murders: A Chronicle of Loss and Grief
The Temple University community has been shaken by a series of tragic murders involving its students. These incidents have not only resulted in the loss of young lives but have also raised concerns about safety and security both on and off campus. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of these heartbreaking events, the circumstances surrounding them, and the impact they have had on the university and its community.
The Murder of Jenna Burleigh
In August 2017, Jenna Burleigh, a 22-year-old transfer student from Montgomery County Community College, was murdered during her first week of classes at Temple University. According to reports, Burleigh met Joshua Hupperterz, 29, at Pub Webb, a bar near Hupperterz' apartment, on a Wednesday night into early Thursday morning.
Investigators believe that Burleigh was killed in Hupperterz' North Philadelphia apartment on the 1700 block of 16th Street. Her body was then transported in a storage bin to Hupperterz' mother's home in Jenkintown and later discovered on the lakefront property of Hupperterz's grandmother in Paupack Township. The coroner determined that Burleigh died from blunt trauma and strangulation.
Hupperterz, a former Temple student, was charged with murder, abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence, and possession of an instrument of crime. He initially claimed to have no recollection of who he had been with due to being heavily intoxicated. However, investigators found blood and drugs inside his apartment.
Aftermath and Legal Proceedings
Hupperterz was ultimately sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murder of Burleigh.
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A lawsuit was filed against Pub Webb, alleging that the bar continued to serve Hupperterz while he was intoxicated because he sold marijuana to its management and staff. The lawsuit also pointed out that Hupperterz showed “obvious signs of visible intoxication” at Pub Webb, and a post-mortem toxicology report on Jenna Burleigh showed her Blood Alcohol Content was .283.
Perspectives and Reactions
The murder of Jenna Burleigh sent shockwaves through the Temple University community. One student, Abulhawa, expressed how the incident could have easily happened to her. She also revealed that she had witnessed Hupperterz get into an altercation with a woman in the past and that he had often lied to her.
Another student, Nia Pettis, while not feeling particularly concerned about safety on campus, questioned why Burleigh ended up going to Hupperterz's house.
Temple University President Englert offered counseling services through Tuttleman Counseling Services to students affected by the tragedy.
The Shooting of Chase Myles
In September 2016, another Temple University student, Chase Myles, 20, was fatally shot in the 1500 block of N. Carlisle Street, near off-campus housing. Police believe the shooting may have been the result of a drug deal gone bad, as they found a green bag filled with what appeared to be marijuana at the scene.
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Nicholas Iaderosa, 23, another Temple student, was arrested and charged with murder and related offenses in connection with Myles' death. According to the university's president, the two knew each other and had planned to meet the night of the shooting.
Impact on the Community
The university released a statement expressing heartbreak over the senseless loss of such a young life, noting that Myles was a valued member of the Temple and Klein communities. Temple President John Fry described himself as heartbroken by the incident.
The Murder of Samuel Collington
In November 2021, Samuel Collington, a senior political science student at Temple University, was shot and killed during a carjacking outside his college apartment on the 2200 block of North Park Avenue. Latif Williams, 17 at the time of the murder, was later found guilty of third-degree murder and gun charges and sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison.
Collington's mother, Molly Collington, described her son's murder as a "horrible injustice" and a "travesty." His father, Dennis Collington, spoke about the potential Collington had and how it was extinguished by the defendant.
Reactions and Legal Proceedings
Temple University expressed encouragement at the arrest of a suspect and hoped it would be the start of healing for Collington's family and the Temple community. City Commissioner Omar Sabir remembered Collington as an incredibly talented and engaged young man who was passionate about engaging voters.
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During the trial, Williams apologized to the Collington family, while his advocates argued that the sentencing was inconsistent with other sentences for similar crimes, especially for juveniles. The prosecutor, Joanne Pescatore, called the shooting a "brutal case" that "terrorized" Temple's community and the city of Philadelphia.
The Murder of Milan Jones
Most recently, the Temple University community mourned the loss of 20-year-old nursing student Milan Jones, who was killed in a domestic violence incident. Tymir Lackey, 21, a fellow Temple University student and Jones' boyfriend, has been charged with her murder.
Police found Jones dead in her apartment on Saturday, suffering from blunt force trauma. Neighbors reported that the couple had been in a relationship.
Community Response
The university described Jones as a promising student who enjoyed helping and caring for others. Neighbors expressed shock and sadness over the incident, with one neighbor sharing Ring camera footage that captured the aftermath of the attack. Temple University is encouraging students to utilize their counseling services in response to the tragedy.
The Broader Context: Safety Concerns and Gun Violence
These tragic incidents highlight the ongoing concerns about safety and security for students at Temple University and in the surrounding North Philadelphia neighborhood. The university has taken steps to address these concerns, including increasing security patrols and providing resources for students who feel unsafe.
However, the issue of gun violence in Philadelphia remains a significant challenge. As Temple University noted in a statement following Samuel Collington's murder, gun violence is an epidemic and a complex, national issue plaguing both the country and the city.
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