D.C. Nightclub Releases Statement Following U.Va. Student's Death

A Northeast D.C. nightclub released a statement Tuesday expressing sadness following the death of a University of Virginia student who collapsed at the venue over the weekend.

Mary "Shelley" Goldsmith, 19, of Abingdon, Va., was at Echostage with friends Saturday night when she said she wasn't feeling well and asked that they call 911. She collapsed before emergency crews arrived, and died at Providence Hospital in Northeast D.C.

"We are saddened to hear about Mary Shelley Goldsmith's death," read the statement  signed by Echostage management. "We have no further comment as it is our understanding that this is part of an active investigation. We will cooperate with the appropriate authorities."

Echostage is located at 2135 Queens Chapel Road NE, near the intersection of New York Avenue and Bladensburg Road NE. It bills itself as "D.C.'s largest nightlife concert venue" at nearly 30,000 square feet.

Most of its events involve dance music DJs, but the space is equipped to handle any large-scale stage production, according to the club's website.

Goldsmith's father confirmed with News4 that his daughter was at Echostage when she became ill.

The cause of her death is undetermined, pending the outcome of an autopsy. Rob Goldsmith said his daughter had some sort of "heart and pulmonary" attack.

D.C. Police are investigating.

"Several people have been asking why, and what happened," Rob Goldsmith said. "I don't even need to think about that. I just know that she's not here anymore."

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