Florida Freshman Ann Hefferin Dies, Fraternity Being Questioned

Aug. 26, 2011 — -- University of Central Florida police are questioning a fraternity about the death of a college freshman who was found unresponsive in her dorm and later died.

Ann Hefferin, 18, was just days into her college career when she was discovered unconscious in her room.

"At about 4 a.m., 911 was called, CPR was performed and emergency units responded immediately. The student was transported to Florida Hospital East at about 4:30 a.m.," university officials said in a statement.

University officials are questioning members of the Sigma Chi fraternity about whether Hefferin attended a party at the fraternity's house before she died, ABC affiliate WFTV reported.

University officials have not confirmed if Hefferin was at the fraternity house prior to her death. An autopsy on Hefferin was inconclusive and more tests are being performed, Medical Examiner Dr. Jan Garavaliga told WFTV.

"We lost a member of the university family today," said UCF spokesperson Grant J. Heston on Thursday. "This is a tragedy and we offer our assistance and most sincere sympathies to her family and friends."

Student Dies Just Days After Starting College

Hefferin had recently become a member of the Beta Lamda chapter of Delta Delta Delta sorority.

When ABC News reached Hefferin's grandmother by phone, she asked that the family be left alone to grieve. Hefferin is not the first child that her parents have lost.

Nearly 3,000 undergraduate students participate in the school's Greek system which has 46 fraternities and sororities, according to the school's web site. The university is located in Orlando, Fla.

Sigma Chi, the fraternity reportedly being investigated by campus police, advertised on Facebook for male students to rush this fall.

On the Facebook page, the members write, "Sigma Chi has its hand in just about everything UCF has to offer a college student. And rage harder than any other Fraternity!!"

On the information section on the Facebook page, members boast that the fraternity has the most bartenders and hosts the biggest parties in Orlando.

Calls to Sigma Chi's national office were not returned.