They were college sweethearts and lacrosse stars on top-rated teams, but their dream romance ended in a nightmare yesterday when Yeardley Love’s body was found — and George Huguely was charged in her murder.
The 22-year-old seniors were due to graduate from the University of Virginia this month after competing in the NCAA lacrosse championships.
Love’s roommate called police at 2:15 a.m. yesterday, saying Love appeared to have suffered an “alcohol overdose” in their off-campus apartment, cops said.
“It was quickly apparent to them that this young lady was the victim of something far worse,” Charlottesville Police Chief Timothy Longo said.
Longo said Huguely, of Chevy Chase, Md., quickly became the focus of the investigation. The chief gave no details except to say Huguely and Love had been in a relationship at one point. The manner of death was not disclosed.
Huguely, a midfielder, played in all 15 games this season for Virginia’s men’s team, which won the Atlantic Coast Conference championship last month and was ranked No. 1 in the country during the year.
Love, of Cockeysville, Md., played defense and started in three games this season for her team, which is believed to have a chance to reach the national semifinals.
Love was “a person who was described as an angel by teammates and friends,” Athletics Director Craig Littlepage said.
Mary Bartel, who coached Yeardley at Notre Dame Prep, said, “Yeardley was the core of the personality of the team. She was our laughter, a good soul.”
University of Virginia President John Casteen issued a statement on the college’s Web site.
“However little we may know now about Yeardley Love’s death, we do know that she did not have or deserve to die. She deserved the bright future she earned growing up, studying here, and developing her talents as a lacrosse player,” it read.
“That she appears now to have been murdered by another student compounds this sense of loss by suggesting that Yeardley died without comfort or consolation from those closest to her.”
Huguely attended the same prep school as some of the Duke lacrosse players who were accused — and eventually cleared — of sexually assaulting a woman at a team party.
In a 2006 interview with The Washington Post, Huguely defended his former teammates, saying, “In this country, you’re supposed to be innocent until proven guilty.”