Florida Freshman Ann Hefferin Dies, Fraternity Being Questioned
Ann Hefferin, 18, was found unresponsive in her dorm just days into college.
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.
Dead UCF Freshman Remembered as 'Warm' and 'Loving'
The national office of Tri Delta Sorority said they are cooperating with campus police.
"We are thoroughly devastated by the loss of Ann Hefferin," said Jackye Brown Clark, Texas-Arlington, Delta Delta Delta Fraternity president. "Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with her family and all of our members of Beta Lamda."
This morning, Hefferin's former high school, Bishop Moore, held a prayer service for her. High school friends have also started a Facebook group to grieve their friend.
One person wrote on the group's wall, "We are so sad this day. Annie touched so [many] lives with her inner beauty, her infectious smile, and her warm heart."
Other students remembered how Hefferin said hi to them in the hallways or sat next to them in Spanish class. A UCF freshman who met her just two weeks ago posted that the two of them had instanly formed a bond.
"Ann seemed to be grounded and loving and just looking for people to relate to. I am saddened to have her leave us so soon," she wrote on Facebook.