Medical examiner releases post-mortem for Maria Bowling GS

Content warning: This article contains mention of student death and suicide.

University Counseling services are available at 609-258-3141, and the Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 at 988 or +1 (800) 273-TALK (8255). A Crisis Text Line is also available in the United States; text HOME to 741741. Students can contact residential college staff and the Office of Religious Life for other support and resources.

The post-mortem medical examination for Maria Catotola Bowling GS, acquired by The Daily Princetonian, determined her cause of death as drowning.

“While this likely represents a suicidal drowning, … the manner of death is best classified as ‘undetermined,’” the report read.

Bowling, who was a first-year graduate student in the history department, passed away in November, leaving behind a legacy of intellectual brilliance and compassion. She was 26.

Bowling earned her B.A. in international studies from Sorbonne Nouvelle University in Paris, and her M.A. in political science from the University of Paris 8. Her research interests included the linguistic politics and history of Angola and southern Africa.

“Bowling was a brilliant scientific mind [...] with an unbelievable capacity for abstraction, pattern recognition, and revolutionary thinking,” Ella Kare, Bowling’s friend from the Sorbonne Nouvelle, wrote to The Daily Princetonian for her obituary in December.

“She had a great way of making everyone feel just understood and very special,” Tanner Bowling, her husband, said. “She was able to make people feel welcome, even in situations that were a bit uncomfortable.”

Support nonprofit student journalism. Donate to the ‘Prince.’ Donate now »

The report noted that Bowling was found in Lake Carnegie. Her personal belongings were found by the edge of the lake. The event had no witnesses according to the report.

Bowling was found with the condition of pulmonary edema, which is caused by excessive fluid accumulation in the lungs.

The report stated that she had “no known history” of depression or suicidal thoughts, attempts, or ideations. Bowling had a “history of anxiety,” had reported being “very ‘stressed out’ from classes and studies” and had recently sought therapy.

The report indicated a blood alcohol content of 0.212 g/dL and 6.9 ng/mL of Alprazolam, more commonly known as Xanax.

Get the best of the ‘Prince’ delivered to your doorstep or inbox. Subscribe now »

Bowling is survived by her husband, Tanner Bowling, her parents, Crisostomo Mariti Amós Catotola and Maria do Rosario Pinto Catotola, her brother Arialdo Catotola, and her younger sister Ariela Bendita Pinto Catotola.

Luke Grippo is a head News editor for the ‘Prince.’ He is from South Jersey, and typically covers high-profile interviews and University and town politics. He can be reached at luke.grippo[at]dailyprincetonian.com.

Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.