Livingstone College is grieving the sudden loss of sophomore softball player Gabriella Muñoz, who died on Friday. News of her death has rippled through the Salisbury campus, leaving teammates, classmates and faculty reeling as they try to make sense of the loss. The college confirmed her passing in a brief statement but has not released information about how she died.
What Officials Have Said
In a statement shared by the athletics department and reported by HBCU Gameday, Livingstone College Athletics announced Muñoz's death and highlighted both her performance on the field and in the classroom. The department noted that she earned a 4.0 GPA in both semesters of the 2025-26 school year and carried a 3.75 cumulative GPA. The college added that "Gabriella exemplified what it meant to be a Blue Bear," and praised her kindness and determination as core parts of the legacy she leaves behind.
Player Profile
According to Livingstone College Athletics, Muñoz was a 5-foot-3 sophomore utility player from Katy, Texas. She joined the Blue Bears program in 2024 and appeared in game logs as both a pitcher and an outfielder. The school's 2026 softball roster lists her hometown, position and role within the team.
Circumstances and Local Reports
Authorities have not released a public cause of death, and official details remain limited. A local outlet reported that Muñoz was found in her campus residence, that foul play was not suspected, and that her body might be returned to Texas for funeral services, according to Charlotte Alerts News. Livingstone College had not confirmed those specific details.
Campus Reaction and Next Steps
The college has urged students, staff and alumni to hold Muñoz's family, teammates and friends in their thoughts as they cope with the loss, as reported by HBCU Gameday. School officials have not yet announced any on-campus memorial or tribute and appear to be awaiting findings from medical or coroner investigations before releasing more information.
Support and Resources
Livingstone students who need support can reach out to the college's public-safety or student-services offices for counseling and crisis resources. Contact information is listed on the school's public-safety webpage, Livingstone Public Safety. For immediate mental-health help anywhere in the United States, people can dial 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or visit the program's website, according to SAMHSA.
