Roommate Finds Villanova Student Dead

A Villanova student was found dead in his Bryn Mawr apartment on Saturday, the Lower Merion Police Department reported Monday.

Matthew Ainsworth, 21, was found dead at about 11 a.m. Saturday by his roommate in their 801 Montgomery Ave. apartment. Ainsworth’s roommate had not stayed in the apartment that night and found Ainsworth fully clothed on his bed upon his return to the room, Lower Merion Police Capt. Bill Boegly said.

Boegly said there were no visible signs of distress. The cause of death has not yet been determined, and an autopsy report is pending, he said.

Boegly did not know Ainsworth’s permanent place of residence, but said his mother lives in Philadelphia and his father lives in Texas.

"On Saturday (March 26), the University was made aware that a student, Matthew Ainsworth, was found dead in his off-campus residence," director of media relations Jonathan Gust wrote in an e-mail. "Lower Merion Police are currently investigating. Villanova is cooperating fully and at this point does not have any further details. Our heart goes out to the family and friends of Matt. We ask you to keep them and this young man in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time."

The university held a memorial service Sunday night, and Ainsworth's funeral and burial will take place Friday in his birthplace of Toledo, Ohio, according to a Toledo Blade obituary reprinted at Legacy.com.

If anyone who knew Matthew Ainsworth would like to share memories about him, please contact Danielle Vickery at 610-906-5534 or danielle.vickery@patch.com.