Expert Bios & Questions


Elizabeth Leland

Elizabeth worked as a Journalist for the Charlotte Observer from the 90s till October 2016. She got her Bachelor's in Journalism from Chapel Hill, achieved a Nieman Fellowship from Harvard, and studied International Relations at The University of Kent. She is happily retired now. He relation to the case was the primary journalist covering the case.

  •   What made you interested in Irina’s case?
  •  What made you want to be a journalist?
  • What was your reaction after hearing about her case?
  • How was the community affected by Irina’s death?
  • Do you believe that a community can come together after such a tragedy?
  • How is this case different (if at all) than other cases you’ve worked on?
  • Do cases like these make it emotionally harder to be a journalist?
  • Did you try contacting any of her personal friends, family members, etc.?
  • Do you know how many other journalists were covering her case?
  • What was the hardest part about covering this case?
James Vesce

       James Vesce is a director, musical director, composer, and sound designer. He has directed community-based, university, and professional theater, including works in New York at the International Fringe Festival and the Kraine Theater, in Boston at the Strand Theatre, the Institute for Contemporary Art, the Lyric Stage, the World Trade Center, and the Shubert Theater, and at New WORLD Theater. His musical work has been performed by Notorio Dance Company in New York venues including the International Dance Festival at the Duke on 42nd Street, Joyce Soho, and The Kitchen and at Jacob's Pillow in Beckett, Massachusetts. He has also composed music featured at First Night Boston, New WORLD Theater, and the National Black Theatre Festival. He was one of Irina’s professors and worked with her in the theater department.


  • How well did you know Irina?
  • What were some of her memorable qualities?
  • Was she a leader among her peers?
  • How many productions was she involved in/which ones?
  • What were some of her interests/passions?
  • What was your reaction after hearing of her passing?
  •   How were your other students affected by this loss?
  • How was the community affected by Irina’s death?
  • Do you believe that events like these can change a school/community?
  • How can you/her peers positively contribute to the celebration of Irina’s life?






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