A Bowdoin College student, Qingyang “K” Zhan, 20, was discovered dead in a parking lot near the college grounds in Maine on Sunday, prompting an inquiry into her death.

Zhan, originally from Shanghai, China, had been living in the United States since 2019. She was found during the early morning hours in Topsham, Maine, at a location used for storing construction materials for the Frank J. Woods Bridge replacement project.

The body was discovered at 2 Main Street, where police officers pronounced Zhan dead on the scene, according to Topsham Police Chief Marc Hagan.

Zhan, who was studying for a double major in government and legal studies and Asian studies, was a respected member of the Bowdoin community. She joined the college in the fall of 2021, following her graduation from the Athenian School in California and a stint at Oxnard College, said Bowdoin College President Safa Zaki.

Zaki shared in a letter to the college community that Zhan was a dynamic participant in the Asian Student Association and a founder of the Chinese Students Association at the college. Besides her active involvement in these associations, Zhan also served as a learning assistant for Asian Studies at the Baldwin Center for Teaching and Learning and showcased her musical skills through the Bowdoin Concert Band, where she played the piano and guitar.

Zaki further described Zhan as a “bright and engaging presence,” highlighting her compassionate nature. “There really are no adequate words to convey how devastating this loss is for our community,” said Zaki, while extending sympathy to Zhan’s family and reiterating the availability of counseling services for students dealing with this tragedy.

An autopsy is being conducted by the local Medical Examiner’s Office as part of the ongoing investigation into the circumstances of Zhan’s death. While the autopsy results are pending, Chief Hagan has stated that there is currently no perceived threat to the community.

As the inquiry continues, the college and the wider community are awaiting more information on the cause of Zhan’s death, while remembering her impactful presence. The college has also announced the availability of counseling support and spaces for communal mourning, underscoring the profound effect of Zhan’s passing on the community.

Meanwhile, Bowdoin College and the Topsham Police Department are working together in the ongoing investigation to uncover more information about Zhan’s death, ensuring a comprehensive examination and response to this sudden loss.