USC student found dead at The Hub identified, no signs of forced entry, trauma found

Columbia police officials said there appears to be no signs of trauma or forced entry where the body of a University of South Carolina student was found in a private student apartment complex Thursday afternoon.

Officials said the body of a 19-year-old female USC student, Rachel R. Bandman, of Glen Allen, Va., was found about 4:30 p.m. by her roommate.

Emergency medicals services was called to the scene, however, the student was deceased when they arrived, Richland County Coroner Gary Watts said.

An autopsy was conducted Friday morning and no signs of trauma were found. The coroner said the final cause and manner of death will be pending until toxicology studies are complete.

Columbia police originally termed the student’s death “suspicious.” However, Columbia police officials said any unattended death is called suspicious until a toxicology report is conducted by the coroner’s office or factors prove otherwise.

The Hub houses nearly 850 USC students and young professionals in a 21-story facility at Main at Washington streets. Residents access the apartment complex via a key-card given to them when they move in.

The building was converted from office space to luxury apartments in a $40 million major renovation.

This story was originally published January 29, 2016 at 2:54 PM with the headline "USC student found dead at The Hub identified, no signs of forced entry, trauma found."