Police tape marks off the end of the third floor in Centennial Court B. Brian Peteritis was found dead in his room at approximately 7:30 yesterday morning.

Credit: Steve Schirra

A resident of Centennial Court B was found dead by his roommate yesterday morning.

Brian Peteritis was found at approximately 7:30 a.m. in his third floor room, said Ron Kirksey, executive director of university communications.

Brian Peteritis, 20, was a junior integrated language arts major at the university and a graduate of McKinley High School in Niles.

He had been an active member of the speech team in high school and a qualifier to the national speech contest in Atlanta his senior year, his mother, Lynn Peteritis, said.

Brian Peteritis was also an active participant in theater at McKinley High, a constant name seen on the honor roll and made the Dean’s List at several times during college.

“He was in three or four of McKinley’s student plays,” Lynn said. “He was just such a smart boy.”

Brian Peteritis’s body was taken to Robinson Memorial Hospital where he was officially declared dead at 8:05 a.m., said Tom Decker, chief investigator at the Portage County Coroner’s Office.

“It appears a young man has taken his own life in his room,” Decker said yesterday morning.

Foul play was ruled out immediately. No autopsy will be performed.

Brian seemed so happy with life and had many friends at school, Lynn Peteritis said. He had taken summer classes at the Kent State Trumbull branch in an attempt to graduate on a four year plan. On top of his required English classes at Kent, Brian was taking classes in the art of acting as well as theatre and dance.

“We’re all just so shocked. None of us had a clue, and I just never saw it coming,” Lynn Peteritis said. “He dearly loved Kent State. He just couldn’t say enough about it.”

Calling hours are expected to be tomorrow night. An exact time has yet to be confirmed by the Peteritis family. The funeral is expected to take place Friday at Lane Funeral Home on Robins Avenue in Niles.

At the family’s request, close friends of Brian Peteritis, who would like to contact his family may write to safety reporter Angie Prosen at [email protected]. Information will be sent to the family through the Daily Kent Stater.