Varner, Benjamin Scott

Born deaf into a hearing family; from San Antonio, TX. Attended the oral Sunshine Cottage School for Deaf Children in Austin, TX for 8 years, then mainstreamed through high school, graduating MacArthur HS in San Antonio; entered Gallaudet University in Fall 2000. On Feb. 3, 2001, was found stabbed to death in his dormitory room; 10 days later, DC police arrested Joseph Mesa jr. (q.v.), who confessed to this robbery-murder as well as the earlier murder of Eric F. Plunkett (q.v.). In July 2002, Mesa was tried and convicted of both murders.