Pitt Exchange Student's Death Investigated

Officials Probe Possible Involvement Of U.S. Soldiers

UPDATED: 11:43 a.m. EST March 21, 2001

Authorities are investigating the brutal death of a University of Pittsburgh student from Westmoreland County who was taking part in a foreign-exchange program.

031901penich Jamie Penich (pictured, left), 21, of Derry was found dead early Sunday in a hotel room in Seoul, where she was spending the weekend with other international students. A female roommate found Penich's naked body on the floor near the bathroom.

South Korean authorities believe that Penich was taking a shower when attacked. No evidence of rape has been found, they said.

Several footprints of large jogging shoes were found on Penich's chest, Yongsan Police Lieutenant Kwon Young-hae said. Her jaw was broken in three places and pushed back, and her right ear was partly torn, Kwon said.

Initial police reports indicated that she suffocated from massive pressure on her chest.

Students who went dancing with Penich at a bar Saturday night into Sunday morning told police that she was with them until they retired to their hotel rooms.

A female Russian student in the next room told police that she heard a loud male voice shout "Let's go, you should not be here" around 4 a.m.

Penich reportedly danced with American soldiers wearing civilian clothes at the nightspot. United States military investigators are assisting South Korean police in identifying those soldiers.

Penich, a junior anthropology major, had been studying at Keimyung University in Daegu, South Korea, since March 1.

Brian Penich told WTAE-TV's Jon Greiner that the time difference and distance between the two countries has made getting information about his daughter's death difficult.