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Vigil planned Wednesday night for Grand Valley State University student found dead on campus

Posted at 7:05 AM, Dec 16, 2020
and last updated 2020-12-16 07:53:05-05

ALLENDALE, Mich. (WXYZ) — A candlelight vigil has been planned Wednesday night for a Royal Oak High graduate as an investigation into her sudden death continues.

Taylor DeRosa, who was studying at Grand Valley State University, was found dead on campus over the weekend. Police there are still investigating how she died.

Taylor was in her freshman year at GVSU, majoring in international businesses. Her friends and loved ones will gather at the clock tower on campus in Allendale at 7 p.m. to celebrate her life.

At the same time, police are urging caution as rumors circulate about her death. Her body was found Dec. 12 near GVSU's intramural athletic fields.

GVSU's director of public safety says the general public isn’t in danger and urged people not to jump to conclusions, saying in part: “stop spreading false information, particularly on social media. Misinformation is not helpful to the investigation or to the family of our student."

The candlelight vigil on GVSU's campus for the young woman will remember her as strong, courageous and thoughtful – a loving daughter, granddaughter, cousin, niece and friend.

Taylor’s family created a GoFundMe page to help with funeral costs. It’s already raised close to $55,000, as of Wednesday morning.

The investigation into Taylor's death is in the hands of GVSU campus police and the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department.