Video: Columbus Schools Mourn Loss of Teacher

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) — Two schools are in mourning today over the loss of a teacher and student.

Lowndes County Coroner Greg Merchant identified a man found dead in an Mississippi University for Women dorm room Monday evening as 32-year-old Leshawn Dewayne Orr of Praire.

He was on the staff at Columbus Middle School and helped the band there.

Merchant says Orr had some health issues, and died of natural causes, apparently from internal bleeding.

He apparently died Monday morning, but was not found until a friend went by his dorm room at about 5 p.m. Monday.

Orr enrolled in the spring as an english major.

“He came in my office,” MUW Language Department Chair Bridget Pieschel said. “He was dressed for his work day at school, and he had a briefcase that had Columbus public school logos on it. He was obviously very proud to be a part of the teaching profession.”

Williams Memorial Funeral Home in Okolona is in charge of arrangements.