University of Arizona graduate dies in Greece after reported beating
Jul 7, 2017, 6:07 PM
(LinkedIn Photo)
(LinkedIn Photo)
PHOENIX — A graduate from the University of Arizona named Bakari Henderson has died after he was reportedly beaten while on vacation in Greece.
Both the U.S. State Department and the university issued statements Friday regarding the death of Henderson, who the school said graduated in May of this year with a degree in Business Administration and a certificate in Sports Management.
According to the UK’s Daily Mail, Henderson is a 22-year-old from Austin, Texas who was vacationing on the island of Zakynthos in Greece. The paper said a group of Americans that included Henderson was involved in a fight that began at a bar.
Henderson may have been beaten with brass knuckles. Two people are being charged with homicide in his death, Daily Mail reported.
University president Dr. Robert C. Robbins issued the following statement:
“All of us at the University of Arizona are shocked and saddened by the loss of our recent graduate, Bakari Henderson. Our hearts and prayers are with his family and friends. I can only imagine the deep sense of loss they must be feeling at this untimely death. It’s always a tragedy when a young life ends before it has really yet to begin. Our staff in the Dean of Students’ office are reaching out to faculty and staff across campus. We also are working with his student organizations and affiliations he had on campus to offer support to those who knew Bakari. I know I speak for the University community as I express deepest condolences to Bakari’s family and friends.”
The State Department issued as a statement as well:
“Greek police in Zakynthos notified the U.S. Embassy of the death of a U.S. citizen in the early morning hours of Friday, July 7. We are in communication with authorities and providing consular assistance to the deceased citizen’s family. We offer our sincerest condolences to family and friends, and out of respect for the family during this difficult time, we have no further comment.”
The BBC reported on another man’s death in 2011 on this same island of Zakynthos. In that instance, a man named Robert Sebbage was killed by a taxi driver. The assailant was “found guilty of causing deadly bodily injury without intent and sentenced to 11 years,” BBC wrote.
