Vigil honors two Fayetteville State students who died

A vigil was held at 8 p.m. on Wednesday at Fayetteville State University to remember the lives of two students who recently died.

Radiance Ellis of Fayetteville and Mia Barfield of Greenville were remembered at the Student Center Amphitheater.

In a statement from FSU Chancellor Darrell T Allison, J.D., he said the loss of any human life is tragic, but it is especially difficult when they lose community members.

"As I shared with both of their mothers, our entire campus is grieving and praying while also understanding the importance of coming together to shape the best path forward," Allison wrote. "I encourage campus-wide dialogue, discussion, and continuing support for one another in the coming days."

The university said Barfield was a senior majoring in forensic science. She died on Saturday.

Ellis was also a senior and died on Sunday. A viewing will take place Thursday at 1 p.m. at Wiseman Mortuary Inc., and a funeral service will be held at noon on Friday at Cape Fear Conference B Headquarters.

The investigations are ongoing, and the cause of death has yet to be determined.