San Jose State student death was suicide, coroner rules

SAN JOSE -- An 18-year-old San Jose State University student who was found dead in his campus dorm room on Sunday committed suicide, the Santa Clara County Coroner's Office said Tuesday.

But the grieving father of freshman Brenden Tiggs said Tuesday there were many unanswered questions investigators need to explore before reaching that conclusion.
His son had excellent grades, said Gary Tiggs, many friends, and a positive outlook.
"He didn't have anything to die for," he said. "He had everything to live for."
San Jose State police are still investigating the death. The university hasn't had an on-campus student suicide in at least 10 years, said spokeswoman Pat Lopes Harris.
On Monday night, a few hundred students gathered for a candlelight vigil outside Joe West Hall for Brenden Tiggs, a freshman studying kinesiology.
Many called Tiggs -- who played football at St. Ignatius College Preparatory School in San Francisco -- a big guy with a big smile who was always able to cheer up friends and strangers.
"He was one of the sweetest people I've ever met," said SJSU freshman Lorna Tuufuli, who said she identified closely with Tiggs because both came from San Francisco. "He was protective of his friends but just such a good, happy guy."
University President Mo Qayoumi informed students and employees of the death in an email Monday afternoon.
The campus is still responding to a dorm scandal that late last year led to four white students being charged with hate crimes in the bullying of a black roommate.
Qayoumi's email told students and faculty the school is offering free counseling services.
Staff writer Eric Kurhi contributed to this report. Contact Mark Gomez at 408-920-5869. Follow him at Twitter.com@MarkMgomez.