GVSU student found dead was ‘smart and sweet’

Friends of Taylor DeRosa, the freshman Grand Valley State University student from Royal Oak whose body was found on the Allendale campus Saturday, say she was “smart and sweet” and died “far too soon.”

She was on the homecoming court, but a very down-to-earth girl, those who knew her said. She actively sought to uplift the downtrodden by taking a social and political stand on issues she was passionate about.

“It’s devastating; it’s shocking,” said Larry Lipton, a 74-year-old Bloomfield Township activist who met her at a 2018 protest in Detroit. “She was on her way to becoming the next generation of leaders.”

He said he was impressed with her eloquence and ability to organize others.

University police, the Ottawa County Sheriff ’s Office and Michigan State Police are investigating DeRosa’s death. Authorities called the death suspicious, but have released little information.

Police did not publicly name DeRosa until Tuesday, three days after her body was found; and on Wednesday, the university said it had no updates. A spokeswoman for the county medical examiner added Wednesday no autopsy information would be released.

The 18-year-old’s cause of death, police said, “has not been fully determined.” The lack of public information has led to rumors and speculation on social media, which police have tried to discourage.

To help defray funeral and memorial expenses for DeRosa, a GoFundMe social media campaign was set up Tuesday. Within hours, it raised more than the $50,000 goal from mostly small donations.

The GoFundMe posting said DeRosa graduated from Royal Oak High School, where she was on the lacrosse team, a member of the Interact and Spirit clubs, and a budding political organizer.

“As we all struggle to process this news, our thoughts go out to Taylor’s family and friends,” Royal Oak High School Principal Michael Giromini said. “Taylor had an immensely positive impact on our community, and that influence will help us in our grieving process.”

At GVSU, she was pursuing a degree in international business with a minor in French.

The fundraising campaign called her beautiful, strong and courageous.

DeRosa was an advocate for gun safety, racial equality and women’s rights. Her smile, “was illuminating,” and her “warmth, friendliness and humor brought joy to everyone who knew her.”

On Facebook, DeRosa’s mother, Cara DeRosa, asked for prayers for her family and her daughter’s friends. She said the death made her heart heavy and filled her with “unimaginable sadness.”

Even though they were on opposite sides of the state, friends said, the mother and daughter spoke or FaceTimed nearly every day.

Philomena Mantella, GVSU’s president, said in a note Tuesday to students and parents that the community mourns for “one of our own.”

Grand Valley State University Police said an unnamed runner came across her body early Saturday. It was near the intramural athletic fields, south of West Campus Drive.

Brandon DeHann, the director of public safety and chief of police, said that “it appears the general public or campus population is not in danger.”