NEWS: The Quiet American

By Mark McLaughlin
Edinburgh Evening News
December 16, 2008

THE family of an American exchange student who fell to his death from halls of residence in Edinburgh today paid tribute to him as fellow students prepared to hold a memorial service.

Cody Lavender, 20, fell from the fourth floor of the Pollock Halls residence on Saturday night, just six days before he was due to return to the US for Christmas. Police have not commented on how he came to fall, other than to say his death was not being treated as suspicious.

The third-year student was reportedly watching the X Factor final with friends prior to his fall shortly after 1am.

Edinburgh University students have arranged a private memorial service in his honour this afternoon. The university's student chaplaincy service has confirmed that it will be in attendance.

Cody, who was of Native American descent, was raised in southern Arizona, and his family are currently understood to be living in Rio Rico, less than four miles north of the Mexican border.

His only sister Alyssa, 18, currently attends Rio Rico High School and within hours of his death created a Facebook site for tributes to her brother.

She said: "Cody always stood up for what he believed in. He was a great guy who was eager to make new friends. Cody has left this world, and has touched many people in a way he'll never know.

"Cody once said he just wanted to make a difference. Well you did buddy. We all love you very much."

In September 2006 Cody left Arizona and enrolled as a junior at Dartmouth College, New Hampshire, studying "women and gender studies". Earlier this year he joined the college's foreign study programme and came to Edinburgh to take a religious studies course. Cody was an avid defender of gay rights at Dartmouth College and Edinburgh University.

At Dartmouth he was co-chair of Gender Sexuality XYZ, a college gay advocacy organisation previously known as the Gay Straight Alliance.

When he moved to Edinburgh he continued to fight for greater rights for homosexuals in his home country, leading a gay rights protest outside the US Consulate in Edinburgh last month.

Tom Crady, dean of the Dartmouth College, broke the news to students on Sunday.

He said: "We have expressed our deepest sympathies to his family. The college is now reaching out to students in the foreign study programme and other members of the community to offer counselling resources."

The US Consulate General in Edinburgh is arranging for Cody's body to be taken home.

A spokeswoman said: "All of the arrangements regarding his transfer and any memorials are being arranged by the staff at Dartmouth College."

A university spokesman said it was currently liaising with police while investigations continue. She added: "Our thoughts are with the student's family and friends at this time."