College softball player is 3rd female student-athlete to die in recent weeks

James Madison University

(NEW YORK) — A college softball star from James Madison University has died at the age of 20, the university announced Tuesday. Her death marks the third of a female college athlete since March.

Lauren Bernett, a sophomore biology major from McDonald, Pennsylvania, was named the Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Week on Monday, just one day before her death was announced. Last year, she helped the school reach the Women’s College World Series.

Authorities said Wednesday they are classifying the death of Bernett as an “apparent suicide.”

In a statement, Rockingham County Sheriff Bryan Hutcheson said his department