ULM dean found dead at Vicksburg motel

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, April 20, 2010

The newly appointed dean of the pharmacy school at the University of Louisiana at Monroe was found dead in a Vicksburg motel room Monday and investigators were awaiting autopsy results to establish a cause of death.

No foul play was suspected in the death of Greg Leader, who had checked into Riverwalk Casino Hotel alone. He was 45.

He had been associate dean of the school since 2004, interim dean since earlier this year and dean since March 23.

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Police Sgt. Sandra Williams said a co-worker reported he had not come to the school as expected and Monroe investigators learned he might be in Vicksburg and at the hotel.

Authorities here got the call at 10:13 a.m. and Lt. Bobby Stewart said after police determined Leader had checked in, they got a key and went to his room. Warren County Coroner Doug Huskey said he pronounced Leader dead at 11:10 a.m.

“His cause of death is pending an autopsy report,” Huskey said.

Huskey also said he would let the autopsy make the determination as to an approximate time of death.

The investigation also showed Leader had not been in the casino adjacent to the hotel.

Classes for the pharmacy school were canceled Monday.

Counselors were available in the dean’s suite at the School of Pharmacy and at the Counseling Center on University Drive.