What’s the status of police investigation into CSU professor’s death? What we know
The Columbus Police Department still is investigating the death of a Columbus State University professor who was shot in a residence near Lakebottom earlier this week, CPD said Thursday.
Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan said the shooting of 31-year-old Erica Anderson in the 1600 block of 17th Avenue was accidental. Bryan said Anderson was shot by her roommate, who mistook her for an intruder.
But with the case still under investigation, CPD Public Information Officer Brittany Santiago told the Ledger-Enquirer in an email Thursday the department can’t comment yet on whether there will be charges. Santiago also did not comment further on how the shooter knew Anderson, and did not respond to questions about the accidental classification prior to publication.
“Additional information, including any potential charges or relationships involved, will be released at a later time once it is appropriate to do so,” Santiago said.
Bryan said Anderson’s body will be sent to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for an autopsy.
CSU officials have expressed sorrow after Anderson’s death, with CSU President Stuart Rayfield telling the Ledger-Enquirer Monday that the university was “deeply saddened” by the incident.
Anderson was new to the faculty this semester, Rayfield said. She joined the CSU Department of Theatre and Dance as a lecturer in costume and was the costume shop supervisor, she said.
“While we mourn her passing, our team is also ensuring her students and colleagues are aware of all the university support resources available to them,” Rayfield said.
CSU’s website says Anderson previously taught costumes at Southern Utah University and the University of Florida, according to CSU’s website.
“She earned a bachelor of fine arts with a dance concentration at Western Kentucky University and a master of fine arts in costume design and technology from the University of Florida,” the CSU website says.
GoFundMe for family
A GoFundMe account has been set up to help pay for funeral arrangements for Anderson. The fundraiser had over $24,000 toward the $26,000 goal as of Thursday afternoon.
The fundraiser, organized by Keri Dattilo, says Anderson leaves behind a husband and three children in Indianapolis.
“She was so passionate about her work and her students, and she was truly excited about building her future with the university community she had already come to love,” the GoFundMe page says.
This story was originally published October 17, 2025 at 5:00 AM.