Death Of GVSU Student From Royal Oak Was Accidental: Report

ROYAL OAK, MI — The death of a Royal Oak woman who was a freshman student at Grand Valley State University was ruled accidental, with alcohol and hypothermia serving as contributing factors, according to reports.

Taylor DeRosa was found dead by a jogger on Dec. 12 on the university's campus, according to The Detroit News. Her body was located near a cross country trail and intramural fields on the school's campus.

DeRosa had attended several social gatherings and was in a vehicle with friends when she asked to be let out to see a friend, officials told The Detroit News. Her body was found on a sidewalk about 400 to 500 yards away from where she left the vehicle.

Related: Royal Oak Woman Found Dead On GVSU Campus: Police

DeRosa was a 2020 graduate of Royal Oak High School. Soon after her death, authorities said her death was "suspicious" but urged the campus community to remain patient as they investigated. She was majoring in international business and minoring in French, according to a GoFundMe page organized to raise money for her family. The page raised nearly $70,000.

The Royal Oak native was remembered as "smart and sweet" by those who knew her, according to an article published by The Detroit Free Press following her death. She was described as a "down-to-earth girl," was on the homecoming court in high school and was an emerging social and political activist.

A candlelight vigil was held for DeRosa shortly after her death, where friends spoke highly of her.

"She represented a whole generation of change fought with a confidence I could only dream of," one friend said of DeRosa in an interview with FOX 2.