Mississippi State University law enforcement is investigating the death of a student who was found in a parked vehicle Sunday in a campus parking lot.
According to the MSU Office of Public Affairs, the student was identified as Maxwell Curtis Pennebaker, 19-year-old sophomore building construction science major from Madison. He was a member of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity.
MSU Police Chief Kenneth Rogers said MSU PD received a phone call at approximately 1:10 p.m. Sunday reporting the discovery of an unresponsive person in a parked vehicle.
MSU PD, Starkville Fire Department and Med-Stat ambulance personnel arrived on the scene. Rogers said there was no danger to the rest of campus related to the incident. Oktibbeha County Coroner Michael Hunt pronounced Pennebaker dead at the scene. Foul play is not suspected.
A person associated with the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity, who requested not to be quoted by name, said Pennebaker was found in his car behind Fraternity Row. They recounted fond memories of Pennebaker.
“He was goofy, he laughed a lot. He was a good kid,” they said.
The individual highlighted the importance of checking up on fellow peers.
“It’s important to check on your people. It’ll happen, and if it does happen – God forbid – it’ll happen to the people you least expect, and that’s the case here.”
They said the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity grieves for Pennebaker.
“There are 18, 19-year-olds in this fraternity that are just now starting college, and this is something they have to deal with in the first few weeks,” they said.
Phi Kappa Tau President Jack Flower expressed the impact of Pennebaker on the fraternity.
“In the wake of Max Pennebaker’s passing, our fraternity mourns the loss of a vibrant soul whose bright smile and contagious laughter lit up every room he entered,” Flower said. “We will never forget the impact Max had on us; his quick wit and humor never failed to lift our spirits. His passing leaves a void that can never be filled, but his legacy of laughter and friendship will continue to inspire us all. On behalf of the chapter, I express my deepest sympathies to the Pennebaker family during this time.”
MSU President Mark Keenum and MSU First Lady Rhonda Keenum shared their condolences with the family and friends of Pennebaker and met Sunday with the men of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity to express their sympathies, encourage and pray with them.
MSU Vice President for Student Affairs Regina Hyatt said the university would provide counseling services and other support for any students or staff impacted by the incident.
“Our deepest sympathies extend to the family and friends of the victim,” Hyatt said.
MSU asks for respect for the privacy of the family and friends of this student during this difficult time.