A standout student-athlete who broke his college's 100-meter sprint record has died by suicide, officials confirmed
Flordan “Flo” Bazile, 21, was found in a river in Massachusetts last Tuesday and is now being mourned by his old classmates at UMass Dartmouth.
In an emotional statement written before his cause of death was announced, the school's athletics department called him “hardworking, passionate, [and] determined” — not to mention “a champion” and a “great friend.”
A “celebration” of Bazile’s life is now planned for 5 p.m. in the university’s expected 750-seat auditorium.
Officials said Bazile was last seen on campus around 2 a.m. on Jan. 15 — two days after he attended an event at Tufts University. His body was recovered seven miles away in the Acushnet River, police said – evidence that he had taken his own life.
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Flordan “Flo” Bazile, 21, was found in a river in Massachusetts last Tuesday and is now being mourned by his old classmates at UMass Dartmouth
Bazile's body was found about 20 feet from the east bank of the Acushnet River around 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 16, Massachusetts State Police said
Bazile's body was found about 20 feet from the east bank of the river around 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 16, Massachusetts State Police said.
The New Bedford native was found in about 15 feet of water north of the Coggeshall Street Bridge, troopers added, after conducting extensive water and ground searches in the area.
Shortly before he was reported missing, the student was seen leaving an on-campus dorm early in the morning.
Prosecutors with the Bristol County District Attorney's Office later confirmed the discovery but ruled it a suicide.
UMass Dartmouth Chancellor Mark A. Fuller then remembered the successful sprinter in a statement sent to the entire school community
“His coaches and teammates described Flo as hard-working, energetic, a champion and a great friend,” Fuller recalled.
Kimberly M. Scott, vice chancellor for student affairs, added that the school offers grief counseling and urged students who are secretly struggling with their mental health to seek help.
“You or your friends may be grieving the loss of our friend and brother Flordan 'Flo' Bazile or suffering from loneliness, anxiety, depression and other mental health issues,” Scott said.
Officials said Bazile was last seen on campus around 2 a.m. on Jan. 15 – two days after his competition at Tufts University. His body was recovered in the river seven miles away, police said – before confirming he had taken his own life
The Charlton College of Business student, meanwhile, was revealed to be a member of the class of 2026 and a marketing major – but no insight was given into what may have influenced his death.
“There is often a stigma associated with mental health, but I urge you to speak up and reach out to someone if you need help.”
“We are a community and we need to support each other.”
The school's athletic department added on Facebook that “the UMass Dartmouth Athletics family is heartbroken by the unexpected death” and promised to release more information in the coming days.
The Charlton College of Business student, meanwhile, was revealed to be a member of the class of 2026 and a marketing major – but no insight was given into what may have influenced his death.
As mentioned, he has been successful in sports, setting a school record in the 100-meter dash last May with a time of 10.56.
In the last two weeks, since the start of the indoor season and in his sophomore year, he has also been named the 2024 Little East Conference Track and Field Athlete and the Track and Field Rookie Athlete of the Week.
He is originally from Haiti but most recently lived in Orlando and came to Dartmouth in fall 2021, officials said.
He was reported Monday after UMass Dartmouth police went to his dorm room to conduct a well-being check and discovered he was not there.
Authorities began searching the river at 10 a.m. Tuesday before finding and retrieving the body.
Divers and investigators found no significant injuries on his person, which refutes most suspicions of foul play.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner finally refuted those suspicions this week when it confirmed his death was a suicide.
Ahead of his memorial service, the UMass Dartmouth Student Government Association released a statement outlining the impact the victim had on others during his short time on campus.
“Bazile was a beloved student, friend, teammate and leader here at UMass Dartmouth,” the group wrote.
“We will always remember his success, his presence and his influence on the student body.”
Further details are expected to be revealed by experts in the coming months. has reached out to the Massachusetts State Police for comment.