Exclusive: Mother Demands Answers After Daughter's Mysterious Death In Israel
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The mother of a Florida State University student who died tragically during a study abroad program in Israel is telling her story for the first time.
When she travelled to Israel last May, Briana McHam had hoped to build her resume in preparation of applying to the FBI Academy
The 20-year-old Florida State University student was attracted to the International Study abroad program there because of the emphasis on Israeli laws and counter terrorism.
Her mother, Annette Blackwell, remembers her daughter's sense of excitement leading up to the trip.
"It was an opportunity that she had never had before. One she hoped to have many more of," said Blackwell.
But McHam would never have those opportunities.
While on a hiking trip down from the ancient fort of Masada in southern Israel Briana McHam lost her life.
At the time, Israeli news reports said she fell into a ravine and suffered dehydration. The temperature had reached nearly 100 degrees on that May day.
McHam had been with two other students who made it down the mountain before her.
Speaking from her home in Pompano Beach for the first time about the tragedy, Blackwell spoke exclusively to CBS4 News Reporter Joan Murray about her frustration over not getting official information about her daughter's untimely death from Israel or the university.
She recalled learning the painful news about her daughter's death from FAU police where she works.
"He said, 'Your daughter, Briana, had an accident," Blackwell recalled.
"And I remember picking up a chair and trying to throw it, but couldn't," Blackwell said in tears. "And I just, just remember crying and screaming and hollering."
When her daughter's body was returned, she said it was impossible to do an autopsy.
Blackwell's grief and pain has only intensified not knowing what happened.
Israel sent her a death certificate that merely said "pending lab tests."
Blackwell said neither FSU nor the U.S. embassy in Israel has told her what she needs to know.
She wants to know what the medical examiner in Israel found. She wants to get a full investigative report from police.
"I do know she was alone when it happened and that tears me apart," she said. "What I want to know is how she was found. Was there tears, was she crying? Those are the things that I want to know."
CBS4 reached out to the State Department who sent this statement:
"We have been closely monitoring the investigation into the death of U.S. citizen Briana McHam. We have been providing all appropriate consular assistance. For further information, we refer you to the local authorities."
Blackwell said knowing what happened won't provide closure but it may give her some peace.
"I need to know."
