Eric Cramer, a 22-year-old student at Claremont McKenna College (CMC), was found dead in his dorm room at Beckett Hall on February 26, 2019. His death came just one week after the death of another student, Jeremy Peterson, which deeply affected the CMC community. The Los Angeles County Coroner determined that Eric Cramer died by suicide. This tragic event was part of a difficult period for the college, which saw two student deaths in quick succession, leading to widespread grief and mourning
among students, faculty, and staff.
In the wake of these events, CMC administrators took several steps to support the community. They organized counseling sessions and made chaplains available to help students and staff cope with the losses. A candlelight vigil was held in Butler Plaza by the Bauer Center to honor the lives of both Eric Cramer and Jeremy Peterson. The college emphasized the importance of community support and encouraged students to reach out to counselors and other support services available on campus.
There were no arrests, suspects, or litigations related to Eric Cramer's death, as it was determined to be a case of self-harm. The college administration remained in close contact with Eric's family, offering full support during this difficult time. The focus was on providing a supportive environment for the grieving community and addressing the mental health needs of students to prevent such tragedies in the future.
