3 Dickinson State University Students Found Dead

The small town of Dickinson, N.D., is grappling with the deaths of three Dickinson State University softball players who were found dead yesterday inside a vehicle that was submerged in a local pond, the Dickinson Press reports. The trio had been missing since Sunday night.

Early police reports say there was no sign of foul play at the pond, which the Press describes as a 12-foot-deep stock pond located on private property. Kyrstin Gemar, Ashley Neufeld, and Afton Williamson were reportedly stargazing the night they went missing.

The deaths have hit Dickinson State University and the Dickinson community hard. The university held a remembrance service last night, packing a campus ballroom with students, faculty, and friends of the victims.

"There are times when you step in front of a microphone and you realize words cannot convey the sadness in our hearts," Dickinson State President Dr. Richard McCallum said at the service.

Classes at Dickinson State were canceled today. A memorial service will be scheduled for later this week, the Press reports.

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