U.Va sophomore dies after partying in D.C. club

Shelley Goldsmith's father posted an emotional statement about losing his ''shooting star'' on his Facebook page. (Courtesy Facebook)
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WASHINGTON – Mary “Shelley” Goldsmith, 19, was inside Echostage night club in Northeast Saturday night when she told friends she wasn’t feeling well.

The teen from Abingdon, Va.,then asked her friends to call 911, Channel 4 reports, but Goldsmith collapsed before emergency medical technicians arrived and died at a nearby hospital.

The investigation into how she died is still pending, according to the medical examiner’s office in the District. The results won’t be public for a few days, says Beverly Fields with the medical examiner’s office.

Goldsmith’s father, Rob Goldsmith, says she had a heart and pulmonary attack.

Her father posted this message about his daughter’s death on his Facebook page:

“I always knew that my daughter Shelley was a star, I found out yesterday that she was a shooting star with only a few brief moments to walk the Earth. She lived less than twenty years but had more impact than many people who live much longer. We will always be grateful for the time that we had with her and we know that we are much better people for her influence. Rest in peace Mary Shelley Sigmond Goldsmith, our precious girl,” Goldsmith’s post said.

D.C. police have launched an investigation into Goldsmith’s death. Echostage released a statement Tuesday evening.

“We are saddened to hear about Mary Shelley Goldsmith’s death,” the management’s statement said.

“We have no further comment as it is our understanding that this is part of an active investigation. We will cooperate with the appropriate authorities.”

The U.Va sophomore was a Jefferson Scholar and member of Alpha Phi sorority.

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