Openly Gay Oakland University Sophomore Corey Jackson Commits Suicide; Police Stress Bullying Appears Not To Be Factor

The Oakland Press in Michigan reports that Corey Jackson, a 19 year old Oakland University student was found Tuesday hanged in a wooded area on campus, but officials emphasize that there exists no evidence to suggest the openly gay sophomore’s suicide was motivated by bullying. Sam Lucido, Oakland University campus police chief said “We have no indication that bullying-type activity was occurring. We have talked with two people – one who was a student – who were close to Corey Jackson and they have said that was not an issue.” The student paper, the Oakland Post, says that Jackson was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon, and quotes TKE president Nick McCormick, who said that Corey “has recently come out and seemed to be okay with it.” His grandmother, Carolyn Evans, however, tells WDIV that the family believes bullying played a part in the young man’s death, saying “I believe (bullying happened) because he recently realized he was a homosexual and he was getting pressured at school by his peers because he told his family and nothing changed here. Corey was the most loving, giving, funny person. He has the most wonderful personality. He had cousins from ages 14 down to 2 and he never said a bad word about anybody. When he went to school and he realized his sexual preference had changed, he changed completely. He withdrew.” Campus police would neither confirm nor deny Corey left a note, and they say their investigation will continue. Oakland University students scheduled a candlelight vigil for 10:00 pm Wednesday, near a bridge at Bear Lake.