Cochise College housing director found dead in campus apartment

The director of Housing and Student Life at Cochise College was found dead in his Douglas Campus apartment Tuesday morning.

Michel Ouellette, 55, was found by college personnel shortly after 8 a.m. Medics with the Douglas Fire Department were dispatched to the scene and attempted to revive Ouellette before pronouncing him deceased shortly after they arrived, said Carol Capas, spokeswoman for the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office.

The cause of death has yet to be established; however, there were no obvious signs of foul play, Capas said. Ouellette’s body was transferred to the County Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy.

Ouellette had been working with the college since 2005, said Denise Merkel, public information officer for Cochise College.

In addition to his position in the residence halls, Ouellette was also an advisor to the Douglas Campus Student Government Association, Merkel said.

Campus counselors were available to provide support for students and other members of the college community.

“The Cochise College family is stunned by this sudden loss,” she said. “Although we are reeling from this tragic news, our hearts and prayers go out to Michel’s wife and their families.”