Alexander Grant

Message from President Glotzbach Regarding Alexander Grant

Dear Members of the Skidmore Community,

I write to provide an update on the continuing investigation into the cause of the death of Boston College sophomore Alexander Grant. As many of us will recall, Alex died last March when he was in Saratoga Springs visiting friends at Skidmore. When this tragic event occurred last winter, it deeply touched many students and other members of the campus community, and I know that many of us have held Alexander and his family in our thoughts since then.

This week, this event has again occasioned local news coverage. We have learned from news reports that the Saratoga Springs Police Department has received the toxicology report but has stated that it will “refrain from commenting on specifics of the autopsy report until all reasonable leads have been investigated.” Once that investigation has been completed, we expect the Saratoga County District Attorney’s Office to make “a final determination regarding the status of the case.” In a statement issued Monday, September 19, to area newspapers, Alexander’s family—parents Ken and Deanna and sister Brianna—said that the autopsy indicated the presence of no narcotic drugs in his system. “We can verify the accuracy” of that report, Saratoga Springs police said, but they emphasized that their investigation is continuing and that they “will not comment at this time regarding any other results.” The College will continue to cooperate with law enforcement agencies as we too await the final results of their investigation.

Alexander’s death was both a tragic loss for those close to him and a traumatic event for Skidmore College and the Saratoga Springs community. At the time, the College did what it could to support the Grant family during the incredibly trying time when Alexander was missing and before his body had been discovered in a wooded area several miles from campus. That week, Skidmore students held a candlelight vigil on campus, the College expressed condolences to the Grant family, and Acting President Susan Kress attended the funeral.

On behalf of the College, I again express our deepest sympathy to the family. We share their grief and support them as they work to honor Alexander’s memory. To that end, the Grant family has established The Alexander Maxwell Grant Foundation “to perpetuate his legacy of intellectual curiosity and deep love of family and friends.” Its goal is to “assist artistically and musically gifted young people from troubled or disadvantaged backgrounds.” Further information may be found—and donations made—at AlexGrant.org.

Philip A. Glotzbach

President