The University of Chicago and the town of Exeter, New Hampshire, are mourning the devastating loss of Calista Lee, a talented and compassionate young woman whose life was tragically cut short. Authorities have confirmed that Calista died by suicide, leaving her family, friends, classmates, and professors heartbroken and searching for answers.
Calista, a native of Exeter, was widely admired for her intelligence, empathy, and creativity. As a student at the University of Chicago, she was known for her deep curiosity, academic excellence, and quiet leadership. Professors and peers remember her as someone who approached learning not only with brilliance but with a genuine passion for understanding the world and helping others.
“She was the kind of student who made everyone around her better,” one classmate said. “She cared deeply — about people, about ideas, and about doing the right thing.”
Friends describe Calista as warm, thoughtful, and endlessly kind — a person whose laughter and presence brought light into every space she entered. Whether she was engaging in discussions, volunteering her time, or simply being a supportive friend, Calista had an extraordinary ability to make others feel seen and valued.
Back home in Exeter, where she spent her formative years, the community has been deeply shaken by the loss. Teachers and mentors remember Calista as a gifted student who excelled in academics, music, and service. She was admired for her compassion, humility, and quiet strength — qualities that made her a role model to many.
Her family shared a heartfelt statement honoring her memory:
“Calista was deeply loved. Her heart was full of empathy, her mind full of brilliance, and her life full of promise. We are heartbroken beyond words, but we find comfort in knowing that she touched so many lives in such meaningful ways.”
In response to her passing, the University of Chicago has expanded access to counseling and mental health resources for students, urging the campus community to support one another and seek help when needed. Faculty and administrators have emphasized the importance of compassion and mental health awareness, particularly amid the pressures that college students often face.
The loss of Calista Lee is a sobering reminder of how vital it is to foster open conversations about emotional well-being and to ensure that no one faces their struggles alone.
Though her time was far too short, Calista’s light — her intellect, kindness, and humanity — continues to shine brightly in the memories of those who knew and loved her. Her legacy will live on in the lives she touched, the friendships she built, and the compassion she inspired.
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available.
Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7, free, and confidential. You are not alone.