CNN
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A decision on the cause and circumstances of a Princeton University student’s death could take weeks, the county attorney’s spokesman said Friday, after her body was discovered. near campus tennis courts after a day of research.
Misrach Ewunetie, 20, of Ohio, was found dead Thursday afternoon on the New Jersey campus, ending a search that started last weekend when her family reported that they could not reach her.
A medical examiner was performing an autopsy on Friday. However, the cause and manner of death will not be determined until the results of toxicology and other tests are returned, and the results could take weeks to receive, said Casey DeBlasio, spokesperson for the office of the Mercer County District Attorney.
Ewunetie’s body was found on Princeton grounds, behind tennis courts, officials say said. There were no signs of injury and the death did not immediately appear suspicious, the prosecutor’s office said Thursday.
Ewunetie, a young sociology student, was last seen early on October 14 near a residential building, the university has said. The housemates remembered her sleeping in her dorm that morning, Ewunetie’s family said.
Her family contacted the school Sunday evening to request a wellness checkup after not hearing from her for several days, Princeton Vice President for Campus Life W. Rochelle Calhoun wrote Wednesday in a message to students.
The school’s public security service has started look for her tonight and the next day issued a campus alert requesting information on his whereabouts, the school said.
Ewunetie was volunteering at one of the school’s 11 dining clubs on October 13, according to the student newspaper The Daily Princetonian reported. Terrace Club student leaders told the newspaper that Ewunetie was on ‘duty’ cleaning during a live music performance at the club.
“On Thursday evening, one of our members originally signed up for the service was unable to attend our event and Misrach volunteered to cover his shift. After the club closed and all service responsibilities were fulfilled, Misrach – along with the other service members – left for the night,” the club wrote to the newspaper.
His death is an “unthinkable tragedy”, the university said Thursday in a Press release.
“We are planning an opportunity for students to come together and remember Misrach,” the school said.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, who said he was in contact with law enforcement during the search, tweeted on Thursday that he was heartbroken by the news of her death.
“Our hearts go out to her family, friends and classmates who knew and loved her,” he wrote.
The autopsy was performed by the Middlesex County Medical Examiner’s Office, DeBlasio said. It is adjacent to Mercer County, where Princeton is located.
There is no threat to the Princeton campus or the student body in connection with Ewunetie’s death, Calhoun wrote in a letter sent Friday to students and their families.
Calhoun wrote that patrols will increase in student living areas out of an abundance of caution.
The school will provide counseling services and opportunities for pupils to remember Ewunetie will take place on Friday and Monday, when classes resume after the autumn holidays.
During the search, Ewunetie’s brother, Universe Ewunetie, described his sister on Thursday as a “precious and beautiful soul”, a “great listener” and someone who “cares about people beyond her. “. The brother and other relatives posted flyers about his missing sister on campus.
Universe Ewunetie said their father first tried to contact his sister on October 14, but did not connect and assumed she was busy. On October 15, calls and texts were going through, but still no answer – and, on Sunday, calls were going straight to voicemail.
His family were particularly alarmed that they missed a meeting regarding his citizenship on Saturday, Universe Ewunetie said.
Friday’s letter from the university says Misrach Ewunetie is considered “a kind and loving friend”.
Besides the terrace clubshe participated in New West Collegewhich “organizes a wide range of activities for our community, from social and cultural events to intramural sports,” Calhoun’s letter reads.
“An immigrant from Ethiopia who settled in Ohio, Misrach was also active in African student organizations,” Calhoun added.
Ewunetie was a graduate of Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School, the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland said.
“Villa Angela-St. The Joseph High School community is deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Misrach Ewunetie, a former honorary student from the class of 2020, who was found deceased today on the campus of Princeton University,” said Deacon James Armstrong.
The non-profit group Minds Matter Cleveland was “devastated” by the loss of Ewunetie, a member of his class of 2020, he said.
“We hold his family and all others who loved him close to our hearts,” the band said.