In every quote, detail and anecdote shared about Steven Blesi, he has been described as an adventurer. Blesi was labeled as big-hearted, kind, social and loved by many individuals throughout his life.
Blesi, an international business student at KSU, departed from the Atlanta airport in August to embark on his next adventure: a semester abroad at South Korea’s Hanyang University. A photo provided by his father, Steve Blesi, to the Washington Post shows Blesi looking back with a smile, suitcase in hand, on the day of his flight. He kept in touch with his family throughout his international studies, sending updates on the experiences of his trip.
Blesi was unreachable on the night of Oct. 29 when news broke of a deadly crowd surge in the alleys of Seoul. His family’s calls were answered that night, but by a police officer sharing the news that Blesi’s phone was one of many lost items found in the aftermath of the rush.
Steve Blesi reached out through Twitter that night to get in touch with those who may know where his son could be. An outpouring of support from fellow students, community members and strangers came forward. A few minutes past midnight on Oct. 30, Steve Blesi shared that they received confirmation that their son had been killed in the surge.
Steve Blesi shared with The Washington Post that their last text to their son was advising him to stay safe and that they loved him.
A memorial has been made on a nearby subway railing to where the crowd rush took place. A photo of Blesi along with Anne Gieske, a nursing student from Kentucky who had also died in the surge, has been shared on social media. Flowers line the ground beneath the images of the two 20-year-old victims. Passerbys continue to pay their respects and grieve the loss of two young, bright lives.
The Office of the President of KSU sent out a mass email to the community on Oct. 31 on the collective mourning by the campus. The letter from President Kathy Schwaig also shared that the other members of Blesi’s study abroad group have been safe and accounted for.
149 others have been reported dead with 150 more injured after the streets had been cleared. The city’s fire department told the New York Times that this had been “one of the deadliest peacetime accidents in South Korea’s recent history.” The NYT also reported that Choi Seong-Beom, a senior official at Seoul’s fire department, said that many of the victims had been teenagers or young adults.
The Sentinel sends its sincerest condolences to the Blesi and Gieske families and those who knew them. Our support, love and hearts are with you in this difficult time.
KSU offers a 24-hour mental health support line at 833-874-0013 for support. The Wellbeing@KSU website provides more resources to students who may find themselves in need of professional support at this time.
