Flordan 'Flo' Bazile: Dartmouth's record-breaking athlete found dead in Massachusetts river, aged just 21

DARTMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS: Flordan "Flo" Bazile, the 21-year-old record-breaking athlete from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, was found dead in a Massachusetts river on Tuesday, January 16.

Despite his athletic achievements, Bazile struggled privately with depression, a battle he revealed in a heart-wrenching farewell on social media.

Flordan Bazile wrote his final post revealing his silent struggle with depression

Famously known as "Flo," had made a significant mark at UMass Dartmouth, breaking the college's 100-meter sprint record and earning accolades as the 2024 Little East Conference Track Athlete and Track Rookie Athlete of the Week.

In his final Instagram post, scheduled to go live after his passing, Bazile expressed "First things first, I am sorry I am sorry to all my loved ones, my friends, anyone whose life I was in that is affected by this. I'm a hypocrite and a coward for taking the easy way it[sic]."

Despite being known as the "happy, smiley" guy, he confessed, "The past few years of my life have been tough mentally. I had so many loving people around me yet I felt so alone. I am a peoples person that didn't like myself. I am genuinely just an unhappy person."

Friends and family were left grappling with the realization that behind the mask of success and cheerfulness, Bazile was fighting a silent battle with clinical depression.

Flordan Bazile's final moments before his tragic death

Bazile's remains were discovered approximately 20 feet from the eastern bank of the river at approximately 4:45 pm on Tuesday, January 16, according to Massachusetts State Police.

The New Bedford native was located submerged in about 15 feet of water just north of the Coggeshall Street Bridge, after extensive water and ground searches conducted by law enforcement.

Before being officially reported missing, Bazile was observed leaving an on-campus dormitory in the early hours of the morning. Prosecutors from the Bristol County District Attorney's Office subsequently affirmed the identity and officially categorized it as a suicide, as per Daily Mail.

University mourns standout student-athlete Flordan Bazile's death

The UMass Dartmouth athletics department, in their statement, described Bazile as "hard-working, passionate, [and] determined," highlighting his champion spirit both on and off the field.

Chancellor Mark A Fuller and Vice-Chancellor Kimberly M Scott emphasized the importance of seeking help for mental health struggles, urging students to speak up and support each other.

"You or your friends may be grieving the loss of our friend and brother, Flordan 'Flo' Bazile, or experiencing loneliness, anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns," Scott stated.

"There is often a stigma attached to mental health, but I ask you to please speak up and reach out to someone if you need help. We are a community, and we must support each other," he added.

A memorial service, commemorating Bazile's life, is scheduled for 5 pm on Thursday at the university's 750-seat auditorium, and it is anticipated to draw a large attendance.