JMU mourns the loss of softball’s Lauren Bernett

HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) - James Madison University is mourning the loss of one of their own, softball player and sophomore Lauren Bernett.

The following message was sent out to the JMU community and posted on social media Tuesday morning:

“Our hearts are aching, hearing the news of the loss of one of our student-athletes.

Lauren Bernett was a high-achieving member of our softball team and a great ambassador of JMU and our athletics program. She was a key member of our 2021 Women’s College World Series team as a freshman catcher last year.

College athletics is great because of the people with whom we get to interact every day. We are a tight family. We are grateful that Lauren has been part of our JMU Athletics community and will always consider her to be a Duke. We will miss her dearly.

Our thoughts are with her family; her coaches, teammates and friends; the rest of our department staff and student-athletes; and the entire JMU community. JMU Nation is a close community, and we grieve together.”

The Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office is in the process of conducting a death investigation into the incident and it is currently classified as an apparent suicide.

The official report from the Medical Examiner’s Office is pending, and out of respect for her family and friends, there is no other information to release at this time.

Wednesday’s home softball doubleheader vs. Longwood has been canceled. This weekend’s home series against Delaware has been canceled. Continue to check http://JMUSports.com for scheduling updates.

For additional support please reach out to:

Counseling Center: 540-568-6552
Dean of Students Office: 540-568-6468
Campus Crisis line after hours: 540-568-6552
Sentara RMH Emergency Department: 540-689-1414
Self-Help resources available through the University Counseling Center
TAO mental health resource
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to reach a crisis counselor
Counseling Center’s Additional 24/7 Emergency Information

Lauren was a key member of the 2021 Women's College World Series team as a freshman catcher... — Lauren was a key member of the 2021 Women's College World Series team as a freshman catcher last year, JMU said in a statement.(WHSV)

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