Flagler College mourning unexpected death of freshman student

Students and staff at Flagler College are mourning the loss of freshman student, Joshua Alford.

Alford died Wednesday night while off-campus in the Lincolnville area which is not far from his dorm.

Friends and classmates said Alford was funny, outgoing, and had a great sense of style.

“He was funny but really calm so if you ever wanted to be around someone who found peace something like, that Josh was definitely someone to be around,” said Josh Artiga.

Artiga said Alford was one of the first people he ever met at Flagler College.

He said he spoke to him Wednesday before his unexpected death.

“We were talking about jean jackets, it was kind of weird just waking up today and hearing about it,” said Artiga.

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Artiga believes his friend has some sort of heart issue.

The St. Augustine Police Department has not yet released the police report.

It’s unclear exactly why or how he died but in a statement to students and staff, Flagler College President Joseph Joyner said:

It is with deepest sadness that I inform you Joshua Alford, a freshman at Flagler College, passed away last night while off-campus. We are still learning details and will share information, including on memorial services, as soon as it becomes available.Our Counseling Center staff will be available to provide grief counseling services. As we struggle to understand this tragic loss, I ask that you please keep the family and friends of Joshua in your thoughts and prayers. 

“It’s pretty devastating to find out something like that,” said Artiga.

A spokesperson with Flagler College said President Joyner will meet with Alford’s family who traveled from Georgia.

His friends said they will meet over the weekend to share memories of Alford and make plans to attend his funeral.

Cox Media Group