College Student Athlete Beaten to Death After Reportedly Exchanging 'Unpleasantries' With Two Men

Two men have been arrested and charged with murder after they allegedly "jumped" a Wheeling Jesuit University student and beat him to death early Saturday morning in West Virginia.

Kevin Figaniak (AP)

Police on Tuesday said they have arrested Jarrett Chandler, 24, and Craig Peacock, 22, for the murder of Kevin Figaniak, according to CBS News. Each was being held on a bond of $1 million, cash only.

Figaniak, 21, suffered severe head injuries after what his friend described to police as getting "jumped from behind" by a group of men shortly before 2 a.m. Saturday morning near the campus of WJU in Wheeling, W.V. The college student had reportedly exchanged "unpleasantries" with one or more people before the attack and was walking with a friend back to campus from a bar.

Figaniak ultimately succumbed to his injuries and died in the hospital one day later. He was a senior scheduled to graduate next spring and played both hockey and lacrosse.

WJU president Rev. James Fleming released a statement following Figaniak's death.

"Kevin spent the last three years at Wheeling Jesuit forging friendships and in his final hours, Kevin was surrounded by those friends and his family, who, through their love and prayers, brought Kevin home to Jesus," Fleming said.

Kevin Figaniak (Image via Facebook)

"We ask you to please keep Kevin, his family and the entire Wheeling Jesuit community in your prayers," he added.

Morgan Steer, one of Figaniak's teammates, told The Morning Call "he always had a smile, he was always making people laugh."

"He was one heck of a hockey player," he added.

Watch a local news clip, courtesy of WTAE:

(H/T: Daily Mail)

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