Police believe student died of natural causes

17 years ago
By Kathy McCarty  
Staff Writer

    PRESQUE ISLE – A Northern Maine Community College student, found dead in her dorm room, is believed to have died due to natural causes.
    The Presque Isle Police Department received a call at approximately 6:53 p.m. on Saturday, March 8, from an individual at NMCC reporting a deceased female was found in her room at Andrews Hall. Crown Ambulance was dispatched and taken to a room occupied by Alyssa A. Cyr, 19, of Madawaska.     Officers Brian McQuarrie and Larry Fickett, of the PIPD, also responded to the scene. Officers determined the body to be that of Cyr, a student in the college’s medical office administration program.
    The Medical Examiner’s Office, of Augusta, was notified, as was Det. Sgt. Wayne Selfridge, of the PIPD. The Madawaska Police Department was notified and asked to contact next of kin, which they did.
    McQuarrie and Fickett spoke to fellow residents in the hall and friends of Cyr to help determine time of death. One friend indicated she had last talked to her around Tuesday, March 4, and at that time Cyr had indicated she wasn’t feeling well. Cyr, who reportedly contacted her mother on a regular basis, had not done so on Friday, March 7.
    During the investigation, Selfridge said he was informed that Cyr was a diabetic and school officials had been concerned about her health.
    “Officials had sanctioned Cyr this past semester because she was not taking her medications and they were concerned she was not taking care of herself,” said Selfridge.
    Cyr was not allowed to return to NMCC and resume classes until she had been cleared by her doctor to do so. Selfridge said a doctor had given clearance, via a letter to NMCC, for Cyr to return for the spring semester. The letter was dated Jan. 8.
    Selfridge said an autopsy was scheduled in Augusta but that it was believed Cyr died of natural causes.
    “At this time, we believe Cyr died of natural causes due to a pre-existing health condition,” said Selfridge.
    Cyr, a 2007 graduate of Madawaska High School, was born Jan. 12, 1989, to Bert and Rina (Boucher) Cyr, of Madawaska. In addition to her parents, she is survived by two brothers, Curtis Cyr of Bangor and Jamie Cyr of Madawaska; one sister, Ciara Cyr of Bangor; her maternal grandmother, Rita Boucher of Frenchville; her paternal grandmother, Delores Cyr of Madawaska; a nephew, Jackson Dube of Frenchville; many aunts, uncles and cousins.
    A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 14, at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Madawaska. Friends and family may call 6-8 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. Friday until time of services at Daigle Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Cyr’s memory may be made to the American Diabetes Association, Maine Affiliate Inc., PO Box 2208, Augusta, ME 04338.