Dad seeks clarity on daughter’s death at college dorm after tragic fall: ‘She meant everything to us’

A father from Washington state is seeking more information regarding the inquiry into his 18-year-old daughter’s death on a California university campus earlier this year. 

Liz Hamel, 18, was discovered unconscious outside a dormitory at the University of California Santa Barbara on February 14 after possibly falling from a breezeway. She passed away a few days later. 

But what happened leading up to her death remains a mystery. 

“In recent months, we have received updates from the UC Santa Barbara PD, and they have been very supportive towards us. They have shown empathy. However, due to the fact that it is an active investigation, they are unable to provide us with extensive information,” shared Alain Hamel, Liz’s father, during an interview with Sandra Smith, co-anchor of Fox News’ “America Reports,” on Friday.

“UCPD is committed to continue its comprehensive investigation to seek answers related to this tragic event and has been working closely with the district attorney’s office and the sheriff’s office since the early stages of the investigation.”

Hamel said he doesn’t know the man who was with his daughter and neither did his daughter’s friends. He is not a suspect in her death. 

Hamel said, as far as he knows, they met at a noodle bar that night, “and they hit it off, and it was Valentine’s Day. So, I think that might’ve had something to do with it. And, yeah, they were photographed together only from a certain angle. And then they left a little after 10:06 (p.m.). And then, to my knowledge, at 10:27 is when she was found unconscious, having fallen from that breezeway.”

“She was great,” Hamel said of his daughter Liz. “She was our world. She’s our only child. And she was everything to us. She was a real joy. And, you know, we were so lucky to have 18 years with her. We wish we had more time.”  (Alain Hamel)

“She was great,” Hamel said of his daughter. “She was our world. She’s our only child. And she was everything to us. She was a real joy. And you know, we were so lucky to have 18 years with her. We wish we had more time.” 

A tipline is available at 805-335-3851 for anyone with information surrounding Liz’s death.