Cantor family searches for answers

Family to hire lawyer; 'U' investigates death

The death of his daughter after a fall from her Mary Markley Residence Hall window devastated George Cantor and his family.

In an attempt to answer the many questions still lingering in his mind, Cantor has decided to hire a lawyer to continue and expand the inquiry into LSA first-year student Courtney Cantor's death.

"We just want to make sure the questions we have are answered," Cantor said, adding that this should not be construed as an intent to sue the University or anyone else.

"It seems so foolish and stupid for her life to have ended that way," Cantor said.

The University is conducting an investigation of its own into the Oct. 16 death, the conclusions of which are expected within the next few days, Department of Public Safety spokesperson Beth Hall said.

But the Cantor family met with officials from the University last week to discuss the preliminary findings of the report. Foul play and suicide have been ruled out at this point, Cantor said, but further information has been hard to obtain.

"They had no answers," Cantor said. "They have no explanation as to how this could have happened.

"A part of me wants to believe there will be an answer to our questions, but the reality is we may never know," Cantor said.

The University does plan to hire mechanical engineers to investigate Cantor's room and attempt to reconstruct the events of the early morning hours that led to the fall. Investigators told Cantor that they have talked to more than 75 witnesses during the six-week inquiry.

When the report is completed, it will be submitted to the Washtenaw County Prosecutor's Office for review. After the office determines whether there was any criminal activity involved in the death, the report will be made public, Hall said.

Although still looking for answers, Cantor did say he is pleased that rumors of suicide can be dispelled officially. Cantor said he had heard at home and through his other daughter Jaime that many people were talking about that possibility on campus.

"That disturbed us the most," Cantor said.

University spokesperson Julie Peterson said the University has done all it can to keep the family up to date throughout the investigation.

"We have wanted to keep them informed as best we can," Peterson said.

Hiring a lawyer to investigate the evening does not signal an intent to sue, but it is a major step, said David Trivax, a Detroit area personal injury lawyer with 15 years experience dealing with these types of cases.

Trivax said the lawyer in this case should explore the possible culpability, or guilt, of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, where Cantor was seen drinking the night of her death. The University also should be a focus of any inquiry, based on its responsibility for the window in Cantor's room.

"It's not brain surgery," Trivax said. "You just have to see if someone may be culpable." But Trivax cautioned that he did not know all the details of the case, and the incident could have been a "horrible accident."

The fraternity had its charter suspended last week, and Cantor said the occurrence of obvious illegal activity at the house when his daughter was there troubles him.

"I'm of the belief that if you behave in an irresponsible manner, there are consequences that you must face," Cantor said.

Phi Delta Theta chapter president Mike Novick refused to comment on the situation.

LSA first-year student Courtney Cantor died Oct. 16 after falling from her sixth-floor Mary Markley Residence Hall window.

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