Jennifer Houle, 22 -- Minnesota, Missing/Found Dead

[HairOfTheDog]

So weird to have been out with friends and then kill herself on the way home. I'm not saying there's a right time to commit suicide just that the timing seems so odd to me. I've always seen suicide as something one works up to privately, quietly and with forethought and not as a spur of the moment thing.

I hope it was an accident after partying too much rather than a suicide; I'd just rather think of her dying as a result of stupidly over-celebrating than feeling so worthless at such a young age.

I think we'll know pretty soon. Jennifer's body was recovered from the river last night.

This picture was taken of the bridge after the announcement; really a beautiful skyline.



Although the Hennepin County medical examiner's office has not yet officially identified the body, Jennifer Houle's father said he's sure it's his daughter.

John Houle said his family has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from family, friends and the community.

"We want to thank law enforcement, all the Hennepin County sheriff's [deputies], the Minneapolis police ... and all the compassion they've shown to us," John Houle said in an interview Wednesday night.

"The vigil last night was all so special," he said about an event that drew more than 1,000 friends and sympathizers to the University of Minnesota. "Jennifer would have been pleased to see the outpouring for her. As a family, we certainly feel that love from the community."

Houle said the family will have a ceremony to celebrate his daughter's life April 12 at the university's Northrop Auditorium. "We'll talk about Jennifer there. It will give us time to compose ourselves and talk about her brilliant life."

Houle said his family has no clue as to what happened the night his daughter died and he appreciated the media's ability to get the word out "when we thought she was missing."

Full story: http://www.startribune.com/local/east/298401161.html