South Pointe High mourns death of German exchange student

By Kimberly Dick and Christy Mullins - The Herald

Students and staff at South Pointe High are mourning the “tragic, unexpected loss” of a German exchange student, principal Al Leonard said this morning.

Hannah Hinrichsen, 16, died Wednesday at her host family’s home. She complained she had a headache and was feeling nauseous, so she stayed home from school, a Rock Hill Police report says.

Hinrichsen died between 7:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., when her host mother checked to see if she was hungry, police reported.

Investigators aren’t sure yet how Hinrichsen died.

York County Coroner Sabrina Gast said they won’t know the cause of Hinrichsen’s death until after an autopsy is completed this afternoon.

“We’re hoping to have preliminary results this afternoon,” Gast said.

Rock Hill police are also investigating her death, said Rock Hill Police Lt. Brad Redfearn

It doesn’t appear to be the result of any criminal action, Redfearn said, but the department is waiting on autopsy results to know for sure.

Hinrichsen was an 11th grader who had been enrolled at South Pointe since August.

She was “immersed in student life” in a short time, Leonard said. Hinrichsen was a member of the chorus and had been taking several art classes, he said. She was looking forward to joining the Drama Club next semester.

“Our hearts go out to Hannah’s biological family on the other side of the world and to her host family,” Leonard said.

She was one of just a few exchange students at South Pointe High School.

Grief counselors will be available at the school.

Hinrichsen was one of two exchange students staying with Barbara Moseley, according to district officials. Moseley has not returned calls to The Herald.