Investigators rule Shuman-Moore’s death a suicide by drowning; campus begins to cope with vigil and discussion

By Abby Rapoport with additional reporting by Cid Standifer, Chris Neubert, Rebecca Park, and David Logan

This article was first published today in the print edition of the S&B.

After an almost seven month-long police investigation, the search for Paul Shuman-Moore ’09, came to an end Tuesday when police confirmed that the identity of a body found in the Grinnell Country Club pool was his. According to investigators, the cause of death was suicide by drowning.

Tuesday night, SGA held a candlelight vigil for both Shuman-Moore and the victims of the Virginia Tech shooting. School administrators are offering a variety of resources to help students cope with the situation.

A country club employee found the body on Monday when he removed the cover of the outdoor pool to prepare for summer use. Upon the discovery, Grinnell police shut down the country club and called Department of Criminal Investigations (DCI) mobile lab units and investigators, including many who were involved in the initial missing person case.

Police sent the body to DCI labs and on Tuesday, after conducting an autopsy and checking dental records, confirmed that the body was Shuman-Moore’s. On Wednesday, at a Des Moines press conference, police announced that the cause of death was suicide by drowning and that foul play was not involved in Shuman-Moore’s death.

“In this particular case, there is absolutely no indication of evidence that Mr. Shuman-Moore was the victim of a homicide,” said Jody Matherly, Grinnell Chief of Police. According to investigators, Shuman-Moore’s hands and feet were loosely bound with duct-tape, and those bindings were self-applied. Police recovered a knife at the scene and a slit had been cut in the pool cover where entry would have been possible.

Many have wondered how the police missed Shuman-Moore’s body as they combed the area surrounding Grinnell. Matherly said that on two rounds, search dogs converged on the country club, though the slit in the pool’s cover was not immediately visible.

“You folks have to understand that we had investigators, we had trained search parties, volunteers, fellow students, community members, airplanes, [and] dogs,” Matherly said. “Simply put, it was missed and we certainly don’t place blame on anybody for that being missed,” said Matherly. Tom Crady, Vice-President for Student Affairs, agreed, describing the search as “extremely well-organized.” “The pool cover itself is pulled very tight and so I can see why people would not think it would be a place to look,” he said.

Students responded quickly to the news. On Tuesday, when police announced the body was Shuman-Moore’s, SGA organized a candlelight vigil in honor of both Shuman-Moore and the victims at Virginia Tech. Student Services Coordinator Julie Edwards ’07 and Katie Jares ’07 worked together to plan the event, relying largely on Adam Brumer ’07 for logistics. The vigil took place in the JRC courtyard between the Grill and the Dining Hall. The Grinnell Singers performed three songs before students proceeded to the Forum where they signed posters to be sent to Virginia Tech. The next day, SGA provided posters outside the Dining Hall to be sent to Shuman-Moore’s family.

“We wanted everyone to come together as a community, and we wanted to give everyone time to grieve together,” said Jares. “I can’t imagine being anywhere else. These people are my family.” The vigil struck a cord with many of those who attended. “Not only were we trying to respect Paul, but at the same time the whole Virginia Tech thing,” said Lauren Bacon ’10, who went to the event. “This week has been … pretty heavy on everybody.” Edwards felt the vigil provided a comfortable space for students to mourn. “I was more proud of planning this event than anything else I’ve done in four years here,” she said.

In addition to the vigil, Student Affairs offered a community discussion on Tuesday night to further help students cope. “We invited the whole campus to come and just have a time to talk about Paul,” said Assistant Dean and Director of Residence Life Sheree Andrews. “Talk about the good things, the funny things, the sad things.” According to Andrews, about 50 students attended the discussion. The event also gave students an opportunity to join an e-mail list designed to let students share stories with the Shuman-Moore family. The Shuman-Moores came to Grinnell Wednesday and talked with students between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. The family has asked to grieve privately, but they have welcomed friends to visit and e-mail them.

Administrators have been frequently available since Monday, and left Student Affairs offices open Wednesday night from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. for students to come in, talk, and eat pizza. RLCs are available to meet with students, and Andrews said many students are taking advantage of the opportunity. Student Affairs also has worked to make sure students do not feel pressure from their classes. “We understand that this is a really stressful time for people and that it could affect their academics,” said Andrews. She told students worried about schoolwork to contact Joyce Stern, Dean for Academic Support.

A memorial for Shuman-Moore will be held tomorrow at the Resurrection Lutheran Church in Chicago. Students who wish to attend the memorial can contact Dean for Student Life Jennifer Krohn about college-organized transportation by noon today. College administrators said a memorial would also be held in Grinnell but further details have not been released.