Pepperdine University students and staff mourned the death of a second student at the end of last week. Sophomore Cameron Johnson was found dead in the village of Baños, Ecuador, just six days after freshman Daniela Benavides was killed in a New Year’s Day car crash in her hometown of Key Biscayne, Florida.
Johnson was enrolled in the university’s Buenos Aires, Argentina study abroad program, and was traveling during Christmas break with fellow Pepperdine students when he reportedly slipped and fell to his death. It is unknown whether he was with other students at the time of his fall.
An email informing Pepperdine students and staff of Johnson’s passing was sent by International Programs Dean Charles Hall last Thursday, Jan. 7 in the morning. The message offered condolences to Johnson’s family and friends and included statements from Buenos Aires program director Rafa Martinez and Johnson’s resident advisor.
“He was always helping people and was always there for everyone. He was also a great student,” Martinez said. “His final paper for [Communications] 313 is a real piece of love and peace for this world.”
A native of Salem, Oregon, Johnson was one of three siblings and had a brother and a sister. He was pursuing a science major at Pepperdine and was involved in extracurricular activities, including the Psi Upsilon fraternity and the university’s Jumpstart program that works with underprivileged children.
Johnson won a national science contest in high school by writing a paper on how natural electric pulses made by the human body can be used to power a pacemaker. He also enjoyed reggaeton music, according to a friend.
“Cam made every situation better, and he only made people’s lives better,” a friend said. “He was one of the brightest people ever academically, socially and creatively.”
Pepperdine president Andrew Benton said that, although he has not yet received an official report, his first sources believe Johnson’s death was an accident and that no foul play was involved.
Baños — the location of Johnson’s death — is a small tourist town located about three hours south of Ecuador’s capital city. It is located in a valley and named after its thermal baths. The village is also well known for its waterfalls and various outdoor activities, which include canyoning, bungee jumping and zip lining.
“I do have the impression he fell from a significant height, but I don’t know if it was a path, bridge or ledge,” Benton said. “Dealing with foreign agencies in a different language has presented some challenges.”
Benton further noted that he is currently on sabbatical and has recently been away from Pepperdine’s campus too frequently to comment at any depth.
The Buenos Aires international program is scheduled to resume its spring semester as usual with a memorial service for Johnson, who was planning to continue his study abroad experience in the spring, taking place at the beginning of the term.
“In terms of [safety] precautions, every time we experience something like this we try to learn from it,” Benton said. “Regardless of the circumstances — whether here, at home or abroad — we have lost two young lives. It is hard to accept.”
“We Love You, Cam,” a video of photos and video clips compiled from Johnson’s college experience, was posted on Facebook by a friend shortly after the community was notified on Jan. 7. It has since been shared nearly 50 times.
A time of prayer and remembrance for both Benavides and Johnson took place last Wednesday night, after separate memorial gatherings were planned by the Psi Upsilon fraternity and residents of Benavides’ dormitory on Monday and Tuesday evenings, respectively.
“We hope the memorial services this week will help with pain and closure,” Benton said.
The university continuously encourages students to come together and seek counseling if necessary.
“This is an especially difficult time with the loss of two members in our community at the beginning of the new year,” Dean of Student Affairs Mark Davis said in an email sent to the Pepperdine community on Jan. 8. “Please continue to look out for each other and refer those who need additional support to the Counseling Center or the Office of the Chaplain.”