Danielle “Dani” Cogswell, a 22-year-old Skyline High School graduate, was found dead in her University of Louisville apartment complex the morning of Monday, July 28.
According to the Courier-Journal, the Louisville Metro Police homicide unit found no signs of foul play and is currently handling the investigation as an overdose.
The school’s athletic department told USA Today that cheerleaders are not subject to the school’s drug testing the way its student-athletes are, since cheerleading is not an NCAA-sanctioned sport.
The cause of death, however, will not be known until toxicology tests are completed, which could take anywhere up to three months.
Cogswell grew up in Washington and was actively involved in competitive cheerleading. With friends spanning throughout Redmond, Sammamish, Issaquah and beyond, Facebook and Twitter have become flooded with personal messages to Cogswell, using the hashtag #RIPDani.
Chase Huber posted, “Terrible day for all Spartans. An amazing cheerleader and even better person.”
Those who knew Cogswell gathered together on July 29 for a bonfire at Alki Beach, expressing their shock and sadness at her sudden death.
“I don’t even believe that it’s real,” Kalieghe Phillips told Q13 Fox.
Cogswell attended Arizona State University before transferring to Louisville, where she was a member of the Cardinals cheerleading squad.
Louisville cheer head coach Todd Sharp said he recruited Cogswell, noting that she was one of the top athletes in the program.
“The University of Louisville Spirit program is devastated to lose one of our beautiful and talented team members,” he said. “Dani had a contagious smile and a spirit that would ignite the room. She will be greatly missed.”
Kelly Montgomery: 425-391-0363; kmontgomery@issaquahreporter.com
