NEW PALTZ – Police are investigating the death of a SUNY New Paltz student whose body was found in a wooded area a short distance off the New Paltz Rail Trail in the Village of New Paltz.
Usman Shakil, 20, a senior from Flushing, Queens, was a double major in psychology and philosophy with a minor in disaster studies.
College President Donald Christian said Shakil was “well known to many students and staff of the college.” He was an admissions ambassador, a local blogger, an honors student who served on the Honors Advisory Board and was the recipient of an Experimental Learning Scholarship.
Students in need of assistance in processing this loss may call the college
counseling center at 845-257-2920. Employees are encouraged to contact
the Employee Assistance Program at 845-257-2886.
Police responded to the rail trail just south of Plains Road at about 7:45 a.m. on Monday after two people called 911 to report having seen a body on the ground. The man appeared to have been dead for several hours, police said.
New Paltz Police said the death does not appear to be the result of foul
play or suspicious circumstance, although police are continuing their
investigation.
Chief Joseph Snyder said the investigation “does not indicate any safety concerns for the community.”
New Paltz Police were assisted at the scene by the SUNY New Paltz Police, Ulster County Sheriff’s Office, State Police and New Paltz Rescue Squad.
