Overview
- Columbia University confirmed the unexpected death of Beau Jessup, a 27-year-old M.S. student in the Journalism School, and extended condolences to her family and classmates.
- The university has not released where, when, or what caused her death, and school officials have offered support to Jessup’s family and the student community.
- Columbia published an unpublished Notebook interview conducted last month that highlights Jessup’s interest in cultural journalism and storytelling.
- Jessup studied at the London School of Economics and the University of Cambridge and earlier founded SpecialName, a business that helped Chinese parents choose English names and drew media attention as a teenager.
- Jessup is the daughter of British actress Lisa Maxwell and Paul Jessup, the family has not spoken publicly, and news outlets have sought comment from New York authorities and the medical examiner with no further official details reported.