Identity known in Amherst student death

Health officials are investigating the death of an Amherst High School Student.

Amherst Central High School is in a state of mourning Monday.

Fifteen-year-old Chelsea Oliver died Sunday morning after a brief illness.

There is no word on if it is flu-related.

The Amherst High School sophomore is described as a friendly child who did not follow the main stream crowd.

There was a moment of silence Monday morning for Chelsea Oliver and counseling is being offered to students and faculty members having trouble handling the sad news.

High school senior Galia Binder knew Chelsea from art class and said she was a sweet person.

Binder said, "She hung out with the alternative kids in her grade, but it was interesting because she was just, she was just so friendly to everyone, and I really noticed that. When I first met her I was intimidated by her, the way she dressed and looked. She looked different. She had her own style, but she always made such an effort to be kind to everyone."

Amherst School Superintendent Laura Chabe says the district is deeply saddened. She has alerted parents and faculty members about Chelsea's death and told News 4 what the Erie County Health Department has advised.

"That we should be continuing to follow the guidelines that have been put out by them, and they assured us that we should, and we also wanted to assure families and parents that their kids were safe in school, and they should feel comfortable in sending them to school, assuming that they're healthy at home as well," said Chabe.

>> Chabe says this is “a sad day for the district”