University Offers Special Counseling Center Hours in Wake of Student Homicide

UM Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Brandi Hephner LaBanc released a statement Monday night giving more information on the life of former student Alexandria “Ally” Kostial, 21. She also said the University Counseling Center is offering walk-in grief counseling sessions to students, faculty and staff. 

Kostial was discovered dead Saturday in Harmontown, a town 20 miles north of Oxford on the other side of Sardis Lake, in an apparent homicide.

The message reads as follows:

Over the weekend, we lost a vibrant member of the Ole Miss family, Alexandria “Ally” Kostial. The University of Mississippi community is deeply saddened by the news of Ally’s passing, and our hearts go out to her parents, friends, and classmates.

Ally was a senior from St. Louis who was enrolled in the current summer session. She was working toward a bachelor’s degree in marketing in the School of Business Administration. Ally was employed by Campus Recreation as a group fitness instructor, and she was an initiate of Alpha Phi fraternity. Ally made a lasting impact on those who knew her, and she will be greatly missed.

While Ally’s death remains under investigation, we must come together in support of one another in the wake of this tragedy. The University Counseling Center is offering walk-in grief counseling between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to students, faculty and staff in need of additional support, or you can schedule an appointment by calling (662) 915-3784.

Safety is always our highest priority, and our University Police Department remains vigilant in working to maintain a safe campus environment. We understand how this situation raises safety concerns. The University Police Department coordinates the Rebel Patrol Student Escort Service, which offers on-campus walk-along escorts for anyone concerned about walking alone on campus. To request an escort, call UPD at (662) 915-7234.

If you have any information that could help the investigation, please call the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Department at (662) 234-6421 or Crime Stoppers at (662) 234-8477.

Hottytoddy.com staff report