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Rutgers sophomore Caitlyn Kovacs dead after visit to Delta Kappa Epsilon frat house

Friends describe Kovacs as "always involved" and full of energy.

By Matt Bradwell

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., Sept. 22 (UPI) -- A Rutgers University student is dead after being taken to the hospital "in distress" from a campus fraternity house where she was drinking early Sunday morning.

Although an official cause of death has not yet been determined, New Brunswick police believe 19-year-old Caitlyn Kovacs drank too much while attending a gathering hosted by the Rutgers chapter of Delta Kappa Epsilon Saturday night.

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Just after 3 a.m. Sunday, Kovacs' friends noticed the animal sciences major "appeared to be in distress" and rushed her to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, but the sophomore was pronounced dead at 3:19 a.m.

"'She was always involved in planning pep rallies and the powder puff games and stuff like that,'' Kovacs' friend Aaron Laserna told local reporters.

''She had a lot of energy and always had a smile on her face. She was always happy and fun to be around. I can't believe she's gone.''

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In a formal statement, DKE International Executive Director Doug Laphner said the fraternity "[wishes] to extend our sympathies to the students of Rutgers University as they endure this time of grief and misfortune," adding, "As the investigation of the incident is ongoing, Delta Kappa Epsilon is fully cooperating with local and county authorities."

Charges have not yet been filed against the fraternity or any of its 55 Rutgers members, but the incident remains under investigation by local police, prosecutors and the university.

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