Jan 18, 2015 2 min read

A 21-year-old student at California University of Pennsylvania died early Sunday morning after possibly aspirating on chewing gum while sleeping.

Shanice Clark, a senior from Ontario, Canada, was found unresponsive in her Vulcan Village apartment at 3:03 a.m., according to California Borough police. She was taken from her California Road residence to Monongahela Valley Hospital, where she could not be revived. She was pronounced dead at 4:10 a.m. by Washington County Coroner Tim Warco.

Police said a preliminary report from medical personnel indicates she aspirated on gum while sleeping, and the death was accidental. The report added there was no knowledge of blood tests.

In a news release, however, Warco said cause of death is pending an autopsy and manner of death is pending an investigation. Borough police are investigating.

Clark was a communications major and a 6-foot forward on the women’s basketball team.

Geraldine M. Jones, interim university president, said in a statement: “Our thoughts today are with the family of Shanice Clark, a senior from Ontario, Canada, who passed away early this morning.

“On behalf of California University of Pennsylvania, I extend my deepest sympathy to all of Shanice’s family and friends. She will be missed by her teammates and coaches, her classmates, and by the entire campus community.”