Statement from Webster University Regarding the Arraignment of a Pan Am 103 Suspect

Webster University students Karen Elizabeth Noonan and Patricia Mary Coyle were among the victims of the Dec. 21, 1988 crash of Pan Am 103, which exploded over Scotland in what investigators later concluded was caused by a bomb hidden on the aircraft.  The next morning, Webster sent a short message to the entire University community. The message simply named both students and their home addresses and then added one line: “A pall hangs over our Christmas.”

Both students were 20 years old and had spent the fall semester studying at Webster’s campus in Vienna. They were heading home to spend Christmas with their families. Noonan also was looking forward to her 21st birthday on Dec. 26.

Today, nearly 34 years after the attack, one of the suspects in that incident was extradited to the United States and was arraigned in court. The University won’t comment on the upcoming trial. Regardless of what happens in the courts, two brilliant young lives from the Webster community were cut short that day, and that loss can’t be repaired. Our thoughts continue to be with their families and friends.