Ames police have released the name of the woman who was found dead over the weekend. The body of 19-year-old Raven Nicole Gileau was found at about 5:30 Sunday near the railroad tracks in the west part of Ames.
Ames Police believe the Iowa State University sophomore was struck by a train earlier in the morning with the investigation continuing by both the Ames Police Department and Union Pacific Railroad. Gileau was an accounting major from Woodbridge, Virginia and a member of ISU’s Honors Program.
According to an Ames Police Department news release, acquaintances of Gileau reported she had earlier been in the Campustown area with friends and became separated from the group. At this time, investigators do not know why Gileau was on the railroad tracks. Representatives of Iowa State University’s Dean of Students Office are providing support to Gileau’s family.
I.S.U. President Gregory Geoffroy said he was very saddened to learn of the death of Raven Gileau and extended his heartfelt sympathy to her parents, family and friends.
By Pat Powers, KQWC, Webster City