USC faculty member who died in campus parking garage identified by coroner

Anna M. Gawlicka-Chruszcz was found dead Friday morning in the vicinity of the Discovery parking garage in downtown Columbia. The University of South Carolina described her as a “faculty member.”

Gawlicka-Chruszcz, 48, lived in Columbia, according to the Richland County Coroner’s Office.

Investigators from the State Law Enforcement Division crime scene unit were seen outside the Discovery parking garage Friday, where Gawlicka-Chruszcz, 48, was found around 8:30 a.m. A portion of the northeast stairwell was sealed off with police tape.

A USC student was also found dead in a residence hall Friday, the university confirmed. SLED confirmed it is investigating both deaths. The state law enforcement agency is required to lead investigations into deaths at all universities in South Carolina.

Gawlicka-Chruszcz received a doctorate in chemistry from Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland. Her husband joined USC’s chemistry and biochemistry department as an associate professor in 2012, according to a resume on USC’s website.

The two deaths on campus currently do not appear to be related, SLED spokeswoman Renée Wunderlich said.

“While the investigations are ongoing, it is clear that there is no threat to safety,” USC president Michael Amiridis said in a statement Friday. “My condolences go out to the families impacted by these deaths.”