UNT student found dead in Mozart Hall

By: Taylor Short

Posted: 7/31/08

UNT computer science junior James Justin Harrell, 20, was found dead in his Mozart Hall dorm room Thursday afternoon.

Linda Anderson, secretary for the Tarrant County Medical Examiner, said Harrell was found at 2:05 p.m. The cause of death was asphyxia by smothering.

According to the medical examiner's Web site, Harrell was found with a plastic bag over his head and a large bottle of helium. The Web site states the death was an accident.

Buddy Price, UNT spokesman, said the UNT police department is investigating the case and there was no indication of foul play.

Harrell, born in Longview on Sept. 25, 1987, was a member of the marching band at Henderson High School where he befriended Emily Kangerga, a pallbearer at his funeral.

"I will remember Justin as very smart, funny and light hearted," she said, "He could always make me laugh."

Harrell's father said his son loved to interact with people on the Internet and expressed an interest in reading at an early age.

"He never showed any issues with depression," his father said. "We furnished him a car and paid his bills. He seemed upbeat and seemed to be adjusting very well."

David Richardson, a friend of Harrell's, said he went by Justin and that he was very much in love with computers and Japanese comic books.

"Justin was extremely intelligent, reserved and quiet," Richardson said, "but had some excellent one liners that would leave the entire classroom in tears from laughter."