A routine welfare check on a snowy January afternoon at Franciscan University of Steubenville escalated into profound tragedy for the close-knit Catholic community. Authorities discovered the bodies of two 20-year-old students, Luke Reimer and Mary Mich, inside a gray Ford Bronco Sport parked behind St. Agnes Residence Hall on January 19, 2026. Carbon monoxide poisoning from a faulty exhaust system claimed their lives in what officials quickly ruled an accidental death.
Luke Reimer, a junior business major from Indian Shores, Florida, brought energy to campus as a lacrosse player for the Franciscan Barons. Born in Naperville, Illinois, on June 6, 2005, he later moved to Florida with his father, Ken, and sister, Emma. Peers remembered his charisma, drive, and strong Catholic faith, evident in his athletic achievements, academic focus, and joyful social media posts featuring family, sports, and cherished times with Mary. One recent caption, “I’m free,” now carries a haunting resonance.
Mary Mich, from Downingtown, Pennsylvania, studied theology and catechetics, perfectly matching her partner’s devotion. Her warm smile, curly hair, and genuine kindness endeared her to everyone. Photos captured the couple’s closeness—arms linked, sharing moments of quiet happiness. They had marked their first anniversary months earlier, with Luke posting a loving tribute to “the most beautiful woman.” Mary’s twin sister, Lilly, lived nearby off-campus, strengthening their sense of family amid college life.
The couple frequently lingered in the Bronco for privacy away from dorm bustle. A persistent gas odor troubled the vehicle, making Mary feel ill and leaving a noticeable smell on her clothes after time spent inside. Just 11 days before the tragedy, on January 8, they reportedly passed out while parked in the same car but awoke later, shaken yet unharmed. Luke had booked a service appointment for January 19—the day their bodies were found—yet the repair never occurred in time. College pressures, from classes and practices to social obligations, likely contributed to the delay, as the young pair may have viewed the issue as minor rather than life-threatening.
Surveillance video showed the Bronco arriving in the lot at 9:52 p.m. on January 18. Luke exited briefly, appearing unsteady, with Mary helping him return inside. Interior lights flickered intermittently until around 1:27 a.m. The pair stayed in the vehicle through the night, unaware of the toxic fumes building up.
Mary’s roommate, Sophia Statz, raised the alarm around noon the next day when Mary failed to return to the dorm. Spotting the snow-covered Bronco, she looked inside and saw the unresponsive couple. She called 911 immediately. Police arrived to find Luke foaming at the mouth across the front seats and Mary beside him; neither had a pulse. Pronounced dead at 12:28 p.m., autopsies and toxicology confirmed carbon monoxide as the cause, with no evidence of drugs, alcohol, or foul play.
Mechanical checks pinpointed an exhaust leak near the turbo or engine manifold, allowing deadly fumes to enter the cabin during idling. Carbon monoxide, the silent killer, binds to blood hemoglobin far more readily than oxygen, causing flu-like symptoms that deceive victims until collapse occurs. In a confined car space, especially in winter, concentrations rise rapidly.
Jefferson County Coroner and Steubenville Police Chief Kenneth Anderson affirmed the accidental nature, attributing it to the vehicle’s exhaust problem. No charges resulted, though prior warnings fueled questions about why the danger went unaddressed.
Franciscan University President Rev. Dave Pivonka, TOR, expressed deep sorrow in a community statement, noting the profound grief for the families, friends, and everyone touched by Luke and Mary. The school expanded counseling, held prayer vigils in Christ the King Chapel, and supported memorials. Luke’s lacrosse teammates honored him with a game in his jersey number, while Mary’s theology classmates recalled her thoughtful faith discussions.
Funeral services for Luke included a private family visitation on January 26 at Finnegan Fieldhouse, followed by a public one at 7 p.m. with a rosary, and a Funeral Mass the next day at 11:15 a.m. Interment remained private. Mary’s arrangements drew similar support in Pennsylvania. Tributes flooded social media, with hashtags remembering their laughter, faith, and love.
Carbon monoxide incidents claim many lives yearly in the U.S., often from vehicle or heating malfunctions. Health authorities stress routine vehicle checks, CO detectors, and avoiding idling in enclosed or snow-blocked areas. Past recalls on some Ford models for exhaust concerns raise broader awareness, though Ford has not commented specifically here.
The parking lot behind St. Agnes now holds a quiet reminder. Luke and Mary’s story of romance, shared faith, and a missed warning underscores the need to heed subtle dangers. Their memory urges vigilance, potentially safeguarding others from similar preventable loss. May they rest in peace.
