UPDATE: Brockport Murder Victim Identified

Update:

8:45 p.m. John Helfer of the sheriff's ofice confirmed in an email the victim was identified by the Monroe County Medical Examiner as Alexandra Kogut, 18, of New Hartford, N.Y. He said the cause of death was blunt force trauma and she was found dead in her dorm room by University Police around 2:45 Saturday morning.

7:05 p.m. The College at Brockport and President John R. Halstead released the following statement via email regarding the death:

“On behalf of our entire campus community, I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Alexandra Kogut. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her loved ones at this difficult time. These are trying times for our campus but I know we will pull together and support each other as we move through the coming days.”

The email identified Alexandra Kogut as the victim. The 18-year-old was majoring in communication.

A statement by the family identifies Alexandra Kogut as the victim of the murder. 

Through the PR firm Romanelli Communications, the family released the following statement: 

"Alexandra Kogut was a bright, beautiful young woman who was thrilled to be beginning her college education. Her lovely and sweet demeanor was truly infectious and she will forever be missed. Her family is very grateful for the tremendous outpouring of love and support that they have received from so many friends and neighbors. They ask that their privacy be respected during this time of grief. The family will make no further comment."

13WHAM independently confirmed the identity of the victim with the victim's aunt.

Kogut died between 1 and 2:30 a.m. in her first-floor McLean Hall dorm room Saturday, according to police. Kogut, a member of the swim team, was a freshman from the New Hartford area. 

Clayton Whittemore, 21, is being charged with second-degree murder in her death. The preliminary hearing is set for Oct. 4 at 1 p.m. at the Sweden Town Court. 

The Monroe County Examiner's office has not yet officially identified the victim. Officials at the College at Brockport have said the college won't release the name until the examiner's office or sheriff has officially done so. 

A vigil is being held tomorrow night at 9:30 p.m. in remembrance of Kogut. The location is yet to be decided. 

twitter.com/casnegley

stylus@brockport.edu