'A friend above all friends': NC State community mourns death of student
A North Carolina State University student died from an apparent suicide last week off campus at his home, friends told WRAL News.
Matthew Haynes was a junior student and part of the Theta Chi fraternity at the university. He was 21 years old.
The fraternity is planning to come together Monday night to honor Haynes’ life.
On Sunday, the fraternity posted a tribute in Haynes’ honor.
"It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear brother, Matthew Haynes," the post reads. "This loss is devastating to our fraternity and the NC State community.
"Those who knew him know how kind, thoughtful, trustworthy, loving and loyal he was. In times like these, we truly need our community to come together."
Haynes’ death also prompted Jonathan Roberts to write a tribute to his best friend. The two knew each other in high school.
"Matthew Haynes was a friend above all friends," Roberts wrote. "His willingness to help anyone with anything at a moment’s notice was unmatched.
"His admiration for the great outdoors was amazing, but above all else, Matthew’s love for his family and friends will forever be cherished by all of us this side of heaven."
Roberts said Haynes' death was unexpected and he had just talked to him a day before his death. According to Roberts, Haynes seemed perfectly fine. The two were planning a hunting trip together.
On Thursday night, Raleigh police found a person dead inside a home near Dixie Trail. Raleigh police said it is not a criminal investigation. Police do not suspect foul play and are not searching for any suspects.
Roberts says Haynes was a standout basketball star at Haywood Christian Academy and loved the outdoors. He was planning on majoring in the agricultural field.
NC State could not provide a comment on Monday because of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
On Monday, WRAL News tried to speak to members of NC State’s Theta Chi chapter and the house’s president, but they had no comment.
In the 2022-2023 school year, NC state confirmed seven students died from suicide.
Mental health resources
If you're having suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis, call or text 988 or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. Veterans can press “1” after dialing 988 to connect directly to the Veterans Crisis Lifeline. For texts, veterans should continue to text the Veterans Crisis Lifeline short code: 838255.
In the wake of tragic and traumatic events, feelings like stress, anxiety, grief and depression are natural. Here is a list of crisis counseling and county-by-county resources in North Carolina, as well as nationally. These resources are available for you – just call.
