Wake County sheriff identifies NC State student found dead in house off campus

The Wake County Sheriff’s Office identified the N.C. State University student who was found dead at a house off-campus this week as 21-year-old Patrick Thomas Sullivan.

Sullivan, a junior in the College of Engineering, was found at 8:54 p.m. Wednesday at a residence on Olive Road in Raleigh.

“Initial indications” are that the death was “accidental,” but the investigation is continuing, the Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

No additional information was provided. The Wake Sheriff’s Office said an official cause of death wouldn’t be released until the Medical Examiner has completed an autopsy.

The house is in a neighborhood near Lake Johnson, southwest of campus.

Sullivan is the ninth N.C. State student and sixth engineering student who has died this academic year.

Five students, including three engineering students, have died from suicides. Two died from natural causes and another was killed in a car accident.

Earlier this week, the university released a report from the Student Mental Health Task Force recommending short- and long-term ideas to address the struggles that students face.

Proposals include creating a “culture of care,” creating a dean of students role, re-examining academic expectations and implementing regular Wellness Days each semester.

The full report is available to read at the university’s wellness website at wellness.ncsu.edu/updates.

This story was originally published February 23, 2023 at 8:29 PM.

Jessica Banov

The News & Observer

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Jessica Banov is a news editor and audience growth specialist at The News & Observer and The Herald-Sun. She was part of the team from The N&O and The Charlotte Observer that was named a 2025 Pulitzer Prize finalist for Breaking News for coverage of Hurricane Helene. She also serves as The N&O’s intern program coordinator.