Kexin Cai was a Dartmouth College graduate student whose unexpected disappearance and tragic passing in May 2024 deeply affected her academic community. A secondyear doctoral candidate in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Caitlin pursued meaningful research focused on communication challenges in individuals with autism. A seeker of knowledge, adventure, and meaningful human connection, she was remembered by peers as kind, curious, and courageous. Her untimely death following a mental health crisis sparked widespread grief and reflection across Dartmouth and beyond.
Academic Profile and Research Focus
Doctoral Studies at Dartmouth
Cai enrolled at Dartmouth College in 2022 as a Ph.D. student in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences. She worked in the Mutual Understanding Lab, focusing her research on communication issues faced by individuals with autism. Her academic pursuits blended empathy and scientific curiosity, earning her recognition as an exceptionally gifted and humble researcher.
Personal Attributes and Intellectual Curiosity
Friends and faculty described Cai as deeply curious, adventurous, and creative. She had a passion for world travel and spent time living in Europe before coming to Dartmouth. She relished hiking, skiing, and extensive road trips. Her creativity shone through in personal details such as sneaking cat images into academic posters, an intentional nod to her love for felines.
Timeline of Disappearance and Search Efforts
Mental Health Crisis and Last Known Movements
On May 13, 2024, Cai voluntarily admitted herself to Dick’s House, the mental health facility on Dartmouth’s campus. She was transitioned to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and subsequently released on May 15. That same afternoon she departed her apartment on an electric bicycle and was last seen near Drake Lane in West Lebanon, New Hampshire.
Search Operations and Community Involvement
Cai was officially reported missing on May 17. Authorities used surveillance footage from local businesses to trace her riding south on Route 10. Signs of her electric bike surfaced near the Boston Lot Conservation Area. A coordinated search began, involving Lebanon police, Dartmouth Safety & Security, New England K9 units, conservation officers, drones, helicopters, and volunteers from the Dartmouth community and Upper Valley residents.
Discovery and Official Confirmation
Recovery in Connecticut River
On Monday afternoon, May 20, a fisherman reported seeing a body along the Connecticut River in Windsor, Vermont. First responders retrieved the remains by about 5:36 p.m., identifying her as Kexin Cai. Authorities stated there was no evidence of foul play based on the preliminary investigation.
Community and Institutional Response
The Dartmouth College community learned of her passing through an email from Jon Kull, Dean of the Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies. Kull described Cai as ‘an exceptionally gifted and humble researcher with a genuinely sweet personality’ who ‘loved cats so much she would include their pictures in every poster or presentation.’ Institutional resources were offered for emotional support and reflection.
Personal Reflections and Tributes
Friends’ Memories and Shared Moments
Cai’s friends recall her as spirited, brave, and endlessly curious. A close friend described her as ‘magical’ and adventurous, someone unafraid to pursue new experiences whether skiing springtime snow, driving thousands of miles on the East Coast, or learning spontaneous creative hobbies. She often offered kindness and encouragement, and forged deep bonds through shared literary and musical interests.
Loved Ones’ Words of Tribute
Cai’s partner, Kristian Droste, remembered her uninhibited laughter, melodic singing even in unfamiliar languages and devotion to family and friends. He described their life together as a collage of growth and love, saying her presence would continue to inspire his actions daily. An email from a former classmate noted how her courage once helped diffuse a bullying situation in school, and her alma mater even erected a statue as a symbol of her integrity and bravery.
Broader Context and Implications
Importance of Mental Health Awareness
Cai’s case highlighted the urgent need for mental health resources and awareness, particularly among graduate students. She had sought help at Dartmouth prior to her disappearance. Her story underscores the need for accessible counseling, early support interventions, and community care within academic environments.
Environmental Risk and Safety Measures
The circumstances of her death drowning in the Connecticut River brought attention to safety risks posed by swift river currents near campus. Dartmouth had previously experienced student drownings in the river and has since considered safety improvements such as increased patrols, lighting, signage, and rescue devices at riverside areas.
Legacy and Remembrance
Academic and Human Legacy
Although her doctoral work was cut short, Cai is remembered as a compassionate scientist whose research aimed to improve understanding and communication for individuals with autism. Her academic contributions, kindness, and creativity continue to inspire those in her field and beyond.
Community Gatherings and Memorial Activities
Dartmouth and local communities organized search efforts, memorial gatherings, and supportive communications for those affected. Plans for remembrance events and public commemorations were discussed in campus announcements, emphasizing collective healing and honoring her life.
The story of Kexin Cai is a deeply poignant chapter in Dartmouth’s recent history. A promising scholar and beloved friend, she pursued her Ph.D. with passion and purpose while cultivating meaningful relationships in the academic community. Her sudden disappearance and death following a mental health crisis sparked extensive search efforts and collective grief. As Dartmouth and the wider research community remember her extraordinary spirit and contributions, her legacy remains tied to both her work in autism research and her personal warmth, creativity, and generosity. Her story is a reminder of the importance of mental health awareness, community care, and safety support in university life.
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