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Emerson Student Dies After Assault

An Emerson College student has died, days after a weekend assault.

"Our beautiful boy’s journey ended this evening at approximately 5:32," the family of Daniel Hollis wrote Wednesday on a website they've been updating.

Daniel Hollis. (Courtesy of Jen Kelly)
Daniel Hollis (Courtesy of Jen Kelly)

"A sophomore majoring in Marketing Communications and a student athlete, Dan will be deeply missed by the many Emersonians who came to know and love him," Emerson College President Lee Pelton wrote in a letter to students.

Hollis was leaving a party with a group of friends when they were confronted by another group of college-aged men and a fight broke out, according to his family. Hollis was hit and then fell to the ground, hitting his head on cement or another hard surface, his family says, resulting in a blood clot on his brain.

The family says Hollis was unresponsive when he arrived at a Boston hospital Saturday morning, where he underwent an emergency surgery. Doctors then told the family that Hollis' brain had irreparable damage and he would not regain consciousness, according to a statement Monday.

"Additionally, there is damage to areas of the brain that control body functions such as breathing and his heart," the Monday statement said. "He will not be able to sustain life, even with the aid of life support systems."

The altercation occurred on Park Vale Avenue in Allston, according to the Suffolk County district attorney's office.

"This Office is working closely with the Boston Police Department as the investigation into this tragedy continues," Suffolk DA spokesman Matthew Brelis said in a statement before Hollis' death was announced. "We offer the victim’s family our heartfelt condolences and will provide more information when, or if, it is appropriate.”

Hollis, of Mendon, played lacrosse for Emerson.

WBUR's Roberto Scalese and Ben Swasey contributed to this report.

This article was originally published on October 02, 2019.

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Laney Ruckstuhl Field Producer
Laney Ruckstuhl is the field producer for Morning Edition. She was formerly a digital producer.

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