GoFundMe set up to raise money for family of Princeton University student
A GoFundMe campaign has been set up for the family of Princeton University undergraduate Misrach Ewunetie. The money will cover funeral costs, travel costs for the family, and an independent autopsy.
The campaign has raised more than $71,000 as of 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 25, less than 24 hours after the GoFundMe was launched.
“On Thursday, October 22nd, our dearest and loving daughter, sister, niece, cousin, and friend, Misrach, was found dead on the Princeton University campus after missing nearly a week. 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,” reads the GoFundMe post by organizer Nate Tesfaye.
Tesfaye is a close friend of the Ewunetie family and attended Ohio State University with one of Misrach Ewunetie’s brothers.
“Beyond her impeccable character, Misrach was brilliant. And despite her remarkable natural ability, she never rested on it—she was studious and very disciplined. A valedictorian of her High School, Princeton not only accepted her application for admission but also awarded Misrach a full scholarship. She was a junior Majoring in Sociology with a minor in Computer Science,” Tesfaye writes. “There is nothing that can replace the beautiful person that we have lost. Misrach is missed by her loving family, friends, and anyone who knew her.”
On Thursday, Ewunetie’s body was found at about 1 p.m. by a facilities worker behind the tennis courts on the southern part of the university campus near Faculty Road. The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office issued a statement shortly thereafter on Thursday afternoon, saying “there were no obvious signs of injury and her death does not appear suspicious or criminal in nature.” Her cell phone and some other belongings were found with the body. An autopsy was conducted by the Middlesex County Medical Examiner’s Office on Friday. It could take several weeks until toxicology results are in.
Ewunetie, a junior from Cleveland, Ohio, went missing in the early morning hours of Friday, Oct. 14. Her family contacted the Princeton University Department of Public Safety on Sunday after not being able to reach her all weekend.
“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,” writes Tesfaye on the GoFundMe page. “Any support you can provide will reduce the burden on Misrach’s family as they attempt to endure this tragedy.”
Krystal Knapp is the founding editor of Planet Princeton. Follow her on Twitter @krystalknapp. She can be reached via email at editor AT planetprinceton.com. Send all letters to the editor and press releases to that email address.