Tuesday afternoon, MIT freshman Satto Tonegawa was found deceased in his room in the MacGregor House dormitory. An investigation headed by the Massachusetts State Police and the Middlesex County District Attorney — standard protocol in the case of a sudden death — is under way. The MIT Police are assisting in the investigation.



Officials report that at this time there is no reason to suspect foul play.



“This is a very sad situation, and the entire MIT community shares a deep sense of loss and grief,” said MIT Chancellor Eric Grimson. “Our thoughts go out to the family, friends, classmates and dormmates of Satto, as well as to the graduate resident tutors, housemasters and others in the student-life system who knew and worked with Satto.”



MIT is making the full range of its student support and mental health services available to residents of MacGregor House and to all members of the MIT community. Barbara Baker, the senior associate dean for students, says students can also turn to their housemasters and graduate resident tutors (GRTs) for support at this difficult time, as well as resident advisors in the Fraternities, Sororities, and Independent Living Groups (FSILGs).



Students are encouraged to reach out to these important resources, and all members of the MIT community who feel affected by this death are encouraged to contact Mental Health Services at 617-253-2916.

