A student found dead on the campus of Phillips Academy in Andover Friday likely died of suicide, the school said in a statement Monday.
Lucas Lee was a member of the class of 2025 and scheduled to graduate this spring. In online tributes, he was described as witty and caring. He was also a member of several student organizations at Phillips.
If you or someone you know needs help, call 9-8-8 or the National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting ‘Home’ to 741741 anytime. The Town of Andover also has a list of local resources.
“We are heartbroken by the loss of our beloved student Lucas Lee,” Phillips spokesperson Tracy Sweet said in an email. “While an official cause of death has not yet been determined, the Lee family has allowed us to share that it appears likely their son died by suicide.”
Phillips is working with the nonprofit Jed Foundation to offer support to members of the campus community.
“We are focused on supporting the family, our students, faculty, and staff as we navigate this tremendous loss together,” Sweet said. “Out of respect for the family’s privacy, we will not be sharing further details.”
In 2022 and 2023, a flurry of suicides at elite prep schools raised fears that the institutions created “pressure cooker” environments. Research suggests rates of anxiety and depression are higher at those schools when compared to traditional, public high schools. A 2023 commentary in Phillips Academy’s student newspaper criticized the school for not doing more to address students’ mental health.
In September 2017, a 17-year-old Phillips student died after being hit by a train in Andover. The death was ruled a suicide.