Investigators rule GVSU student’s death an accident
Royal Oak woman died from hypothermia
Investigators say Taylor DeRosa, 18, of Royal Oak, died an accidental death caused by hypothermia last month at Grand Valley State University where she was a freshman.
“The Ottawa County medical examiner ruled her death accidental, due to hypothermia, with alcohol a contributing factor,” said Mary Eilleen Lyon, a university spokeswoman, in an email to the Royal Oak Tribune.
DeRosa’s body was discovered early Dec. 12 by a jogger running near the intramural athletic fields of the GVSU campus in Allendale, a city in Ottawa County.
Early on, the case was considered a suspicious death.
However, the medical examiner found no evidence of foul play and tests reportedly showed DeRosa had a high blood-alcohol content of 0.24 percent, according to the Detroit News — a level three times greater than the state limit for drunken driving.
“Taylor’s death is a terrible tragedy for her family and all those close to her,” said GVSU President Philomena V. Mantella in a statement Thursday. “We are a caring community, and our hearts go out to all who knew and loved Taylor. Our routines during COVID have put physical space between us, but we should work to stay emotionally connected, especially as we grieve the loss of a promising
young woman who was part of our campus community.”
DeRosa was a 2020 graduate of Royal Oak High School and played on the girls varsity lacrosse team, and was active in the Interact
Club and Spirit Club. She was on the school’s homecoming court in 2019.
DeRosa was involved during her years in high school with Students Demand Action, part of a national movement for gun control, and was a student volunteer on a local political campaign for Belem Morales, who unsuccessfully
sought election to the City Commission last year.
“I knew immediately she was a star,” Morales, an attorney, told the Tribune shortly after DeRosa’s death. “She was incredible … When we had campaign meetings I always waited for her insight and opinions when making decisions because she was so
smart. The world is darker without her … her light will be greatly missed. “
According to a Gofundme site set up days after her death to cover DeRosa’s memorial expenses, she was described as a passionate person who advocated for gun control, Black Lives Matter, women’s rights and efforts focused on equality.