Gallaudet University, the world’s only university bilingual in American Sign Language, is known for creating a close community for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. But in 2000, the campus faced tragedy that shocked everyone. Two students were brutally murdered, leaving the campus fearful and shaken.
Who Was Eric Plunkett?
Eric Plunkett was a freshman from Burnsville, Minnesota, who joined Gallaudet University in the fall of 2000. Born with cerebral palsy, he faced challenges walking and had profound hearing loss, yet he never let these hold him back. His sister, Erin Plunkett, recalled that he was confident, curious, and had many friends. He loved taking things apart to see how they worked.
Students described Eric as friendly, inquisitive, and easygoing. Former resident advisor Lauren Buchko said that the university felt like a small island where deaf students could feel like family. Eric quickly became a well-loved member of the campus.
What Happened to Eric Plunkett?
Eric’s life ended tragically on September 28, 2000. His neighbor, Joseph Mesa Jr., noticed a strange smell from Eric’s dorm room and could not reach him. He asked resident advisor Lauren Buchko to check on Eric. Thomas Koch, another resident advisor, opened the room and found Eric’s body. The room was in disarray, and blood covered the scene.
Police later confirmed that Eric had been beaten, kicked, and strangled to death. His wallet and debit cards were missing, and there were no signs of forced entry. Investigators considered that he may have been targeted because he had recently come out as gay and reported anti-gay slurs on campus message boards. Despite questioning other students, the killer remained unidentified at that time.
The Murder of Benjamin Varner
Months later, on February 3, 2001, Benjamin Varner’s body was discovered in the same dorm building. He had been stabbed in the head, neck, and stomach, and his body was hidden under a mattress. Like Eric, Benjamin’s wallet, checkbook, and credit cards were missing.
Investigators found a blood-covered knife and a jacket in a dumpster near the dorm. Footprints from Nike Air shoes were also discovered, and a check cashed shortly after Benjamin’s death linked the crimes to Joseph Mesa.
Joseph Mesa’s Confession
Joseph Mesa, a football player from Guam, eventually confessed to killing both Eric and Benjamin. He admitted to strangling Eric with his arm and hitting him with a chair, and later stabbing Benjamin with a knife he found in the dorm. His motive appeared trivial and shocking; he claimed he needed money to buy gifts for his girlfriend, including a purple mouse and mousepad.
Mesa was arrested and charged with two counts of murder. In 2002, he was convicted and sentenced to two life terms without the possibility of parole.
