Police are still probing what caused the death of a first-year Queen's University student, whose body was discovered in a field behind a school dormitory.

But as the community awaits word on the tragedy, rumours about what ended the life of the promising teenager have begun swirling around the campus.

Investigators have released little information about the dead student, who was found by his classmates on the grass at the rear of Victoria Hall, a six-floor co-ed residence building that accommodates more than 800 students.

Kingston, Ont., police have not released the name or sex of the student, however media reports from the United States identified him as Cameron Bruce, 18, of Westport, Ct. He was studying engineering at the university.

The newspaper Westport Now said Bruce was a recent high school graduate who was a member of the school swim team and a talented trumpet player.

Quoting friends of the family, the newspaper said the dead teenager was the son of Iain and Linda Bruce and had just begun his first year of university.

Monday was the first day of classes at Queen's after an orientation week for new students.

Student Grant Clark discovered the body while on his way to rugby practice early on Monday.

"I don't feel like talking about it," he told reporters on campus. "I just came from counselling. It's a tough thing to deal with … it's a little too soon, sorry."

"It's a tough thing to deal with," said Clark, who added that he was seeing a counsellor to talk about the tragedy.

CTV's Roger Smith reported that the victim fell from the window of his sixth-floor room.

While some students said rumours about the death are circulating around the campus, others complained that police have not told them anything.

Meanwhile, school Chaplin Brian Yealland said that many students are taking the news with great sadness.

"We've got counsellors available on a 24-hour basis to support the students who are very deeply grieving this tragic loss."

Police have called the case a "tragic incident," but have not elaborated on the cause or circumstances surrounding the death.

A post-mortem examination was to be conducted on the body at an Ottawa hospital, likely on Tuesday. However, police have said little about the death.

The university lowered its flags to half mast Tuesday because of the death.

"This is a shock for all of us and our hearts and thoughts are with the student's family and friends," John Pierce, the dean of student affairs, said in a news release.

With a report from CTV Ottawa's Natalie Pierosara