LEXINGTON, Ky. — The University of Kentucky campus community is reeling from the loss of 18-year-old Thomas "Lofton" Hazelwood who died late Monday.
The Fayette County coroner said, pending an investigation, Hazelwood most likely died from alcohol poisoning.
On Tuesday, UK suspended all activities for the FarmHouse fraternity while it continues its investigations.
UK has launched two investigations, one conducted by UK Police Department and another by UK's Office of Student Conduct.
UK President Eli Capilouto said in a statement released Tuesday, findings from the investigations will be made public.
The National Leadership of the FarmHouse Fraternity has encouraged all members to cooperate with the investigation into Hazelwood's death.
"I knew Lofton from grade school, he went to the same grade school has been Henderson, Kentucky," said Simon Sutton, a senior at UK.
Sutton said he’s processing the emotions that have unfolded in the last 48 hours.
"Just from talking to my family so far I think it's really hit them," Sutton said. "I got off the phone with my, my grandma yesterday and she's in tears, about it just being close to the mother and father of Lofton watching them grow up and really it's just, it's really hard to see because there's just, there's just so much less yet to live."
Sutton joined the small group of students Wednesday in prayer session turning a rosary for Lofton's life.
"There's a lot of processing that has to be done here over the next couple of weeks to gauge where the whole community is at, but um, me knowing Lofton, I think there's just a lot of like just a lot of emotions happening, ranging from sadness to a, just a little anger, I guess with all situation," Simon said.
His grief is heavy, an emotion also experienced by Father Steve Roberts.
"I was called to the hospital a little bit after midnight, a night before last, to come and be with the Hazelwood family, so I was able to spend some time with him and also had the opportunity to bless the body," Roberts said.
Father Roberts said the Hazelwood family is heartbroken and relying on their Catholic faith to carry them through this tough loss.
"In this darkness that was some of the only light that they had now. They had the light of each other, which was coming together and compassion supporting each other in the light of Christ which somehow provides hope and light in this incredible dark period," Roberts said.
He said Lofton had a charming personality.
"They just said over and over, what a wonderful person Lofton was how he could make friends with anybody. The mother described him as an old soul, you know someone who just people love to be around, very strong family person," Roberts said.
The Hazelwood family has a daughter attending UK, Father Roberts said Lofton and his sister were close.
"I just know she was heartbroken with the family. Iit's some of the most intense grief I've ever witnessed to lose your brother and to lose your best friend. just absolutely heartbroken," Roberts said.
As more details reveal emerge from the investigation, Sutton said this should be a wake-up call.
"I think in a way there’s a lot that needs to be done in terms of the culture that is being put on here with fraternities. You know it shouldn't have taken place like this. Nothing like this should have ever happened," Sutton said.