Police investigate ‘suspicious’ death of Michigan college freshman on campus

The body of an 18-year-old Michigan college freshman was found on Grand Valley State University’s campus over the weekend, in what police are investigating as a ‘suspicious’ death.   

The cause and manner of Taylor DeRosa’s death have not been disclosed as of Wednesday afternoon, though there is no immediate threat to the public, GVSU officials said.

‘We have a moral obligation not to spread misinformation that fuels unhelpful suppositions and may hamper the investigation,’ GVSU President Philomena Mantella said in a statement.

College freshman Taylor DeRosa, 18 (left and right), was found dead on Grand Valley State University’s Allendale, Michigan, campus, on Saturday morning

A jogger came upon DeRosa’s body near the intramural athletic fields south of West Campus Drive (pictured)

DeRosa graduated from high school in May and entered GVSU (pictured) in the fall semester  

DeRosa’s body was discovered by a runner on Saturday morning near the intramural athletic fields south of West Campus Drive on the Allendale campus, reported WDIV.

DeRosa was a recent graduate of Royal Oak High School who was majoring in international business with a minor in French at GVSU. 

According to the description of a GoFundMe campaign, the 18-year-old was an advocate for gun control, Black Lives Matter, women’s rights ‘and a host of other organizations and movements that supported human equality, fairness and truth.’

As of Wednesday, the fundraiser has drawn more than $58,000 in donations to help DeRosa’s mother with her funeral expenses. The campaign states that Cara DeRosa raised Taylor as a single mother, working seven days a week at two jobs ‘to provide her the perfect life she deserved.’ 

Cara DeRosa on Monday took to Facebook to post a tribute to her daughter, which read: ‘it is with a heavy heart and unimaginable sadness that I regret to inform you my daughter, Taylor DeRosa, passed away on Saturday. Please continue to pray for my family and her friends during this difficult time. 1/13/02 – 12/12/20.’ 

DeRosa (pictured in the front row in a gray sweater) was a Black Lives Matter and gun control advocate 

A GoFundMe campaign that has been launched to help DeRosa’s mother with her funeral expenses has drawn more than $58,000 in donations 

During her high school years, Taylor was on the lacrosse team and was involved in various clubs and extracurricular activities.

‘Taylor’s smile was illuminating, and her warmth, friendliness and humor brought joy to everyone who knew her,’ the description reads. 

Larry Lipton, a Bloomfield Township activist who had interactions with DeRosa in her capacity as a member of an anti-gun violence group, described the teen in a Facebook post as ‘a wonderful young woman, smart, poised, articulate and beautiful. She was a friend.’

The 18-year-old graduated from Royal Oak High School in May and entered GVSU in the fall semester, according to President Mantella’s statement confirming her death.  

Mystery: Campus police described DeRosa’s death as ‘suspicious’ but said there was no threat to the public

‘There is much we do not know about the cause of her death, and the investigation is ongoing,’ she added. ‘Grand Valley Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police Brandon DeHaan assures us, at this time, it appears the general public and the campus community are not in danger.’

The Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office and the Michigan State Police are assisting with the investigation. 

DailyMail.com reached out to law enforcement agencies on Wednesday seeking comment and was awaiting their replies.