Princeton Student Misrach Ewunetie's Family Wants Independent Autopsy

PRINCETON, NJ — The family of Princeton University student Misrach Ewunetie who was found dead on campus last week, is seeking to conduct an independent autopsy and has launched a fundraiser to help with the expenses.

“Due to her sudden death and bizarre circumstances surrounding her passing, we ask family, friends, and anyone aware of her story to support Misrach’s family by assisting with the expenses associated with a funeral, an independent autopsy, and significant travel,” the fundraiser said.

Ewunetie's body was found outside on the Facilities grounds behind the tennis courts at around 1 p.m. on Oct. 20 by a Facilities employee after she had been missing for six days. More: Undergraduate Student Reported Missing From Princeton University

Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri had said there were no obvious signs of injury and her death does not appear suspicious or criminal in nature. The Middlesex County Medical Examiner’s Office conducted an autopsy, but the cause of death will be reported only after all test results are received. More: Body Of Missing Princeton Student Found: Officials

Ewunetie’s brother Universe told the U.S. Sun that the “area she was found makes us feel it was suspicious. Some trees had to be cut when they were removing Misrach.”

An undergraduate majoring in sociology, Ewunetie was also interested in computer science. She was a member of Terrace Club and New College West.

An immigrant from Ethiopia, Ewunetie had settled in Ohio with her family. She volunteered at Terrace Club on the night of Oct. 13. She was on housekeeping duty during a live performance at the eating club, according to a report by the Daily Princetonian.

Her brother, Universe Ewunetie, told NBC News he was texting with her Thursday and on Sunday her phone lost communication.

When she failed to show up for her American Citizenship interview on Saturday, her family contacted the University’s Department of Public safety.

“There are simply no words that can encapsulate the grief and mourning that such an event has brought to Misrach’s family. She was the best of us; she had the kindest heart, the sharpest mind, and the most considerate soul. To lose her is just heartbreaking,” the fundraiser said.

As of Wednesday, $115,925 was raised for the family through the fundraiser.

In light of Ewunetie’s death, the University said it has increased staffing and patrols in student living areas out of an “abundance of caution.”

“Our campus is already patrolled 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by sworn law enforcement officers and security officers. Access to campus residential areas is also controlled. As a result, the Department of Public Safety is confident it’s safe for students to return to campus from fall break,” Dean Jill Dolan and VP W. Rochelle Calhoun said in a message to the community.

Vigils and memorials were held on campus earlier this week in memory of Ewunetie. One memorial was hosted by the Princeton Ethiopian and Eritrean Student Association (PEESA) and the other by the Office of Religious Life (ORL).

Over 500 students, faculty and community members were present during the PEESA memorial, according to the Daily Princetonian.

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