Pittsburgh Student Found Dead Inside Home, Police Investigating

A University of Pittsburgh student was found dead inside a home over the weekend, and police said that she died of blunt force trauma.

Alina Sheykhet, 20, was found on the second floor, police told CBS News. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

“At this point, we are actively interviewing people in the area and canvassing the area looking for further information,” Pittsburgh police Sgt. William Vollberg said.

“We do not believe at this time that this was a random act of violence,” Pittsburgh Police Chief Scott Schubert said, via WPXI.

Her brother said his parents went to pick up his sister at her home.

Her parents were told by her roommates that she was still sleeping.

When she didn’t come to the door, her dad kicked down her door.

She was found dead on the floor of her room.

“Upon arrival, officers discovered the 20-year-old female on the second floor of the residence,” police said in a news release. “Paramedics pronounced her deceased at the scene from blunt force trauma.”

The department’s Violent Crime Unit is investigating her death.

Police are not sure yet who could be a suspect in her death.

“We didn’t hear anything, and I didn’t see anything,” said neighbor Nancy D'andrea, CBS reported.

She saw two sad-looking people standing in the front of the home where she was found.

“I feel so bad because I saw a guy and a lady, they were crying so loud,” she said, adding that she thinks they were “the mother and father” of Sheykhet.

The CBS report said that neighbors indicated the home was rented out last month. Neighbors said they didn’t know anything about the people who lived there.

She was killed overnight on Sunday, Oct. 8, CBS reported.

Those who knew the young woman where stunned.

“I could go on and on about how much of a wonderful person she is,” former classmate Mark Schlaegle told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “Alina was the most beautiful, open-minded, talented, careful person.”

“Heartbroken that this happened to such a beautiful, sweet, and innocent girl. You are loved Alina. Praying for the Sheykhet family,” added another on Twitter.

A Pitt university spokesperson told CBS that students on campus should not feel threatened.

“Our campus is saddened and extends its deepest sympathies to the student’s family and those who knew her,” the Pitt spokesperson said in a statement.