A police investigation into Sunday’s death of a Rutgers University sophomore revealed that alcohol may have been a factor.
Caitlyn P. Kovacs, 19, was hanging out with a small group at the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity house when around 3 a.m. she became “distressed.” Kovacs’ friends rushed her to the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. A preliminary investigation revealed her death may have been alcohol-related.
Although the investigation will not be complete until an autopsy is performed, a spokesman with the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office said it’s most likely that no charges will be filed.
Kovacs was a sophomore at the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, and was majoring in animal sciences. Melissa Mielko, one of Kovacs’ friends, remembers her as being “upbeat” and “bubbly.”
“She was always laughing and making others laugh and smile as well,” Mielko said. “She was a good kid with a good head on her shoulders.”
Delta Kappa Epsilon President Ian McGeown didn’t directly comment on Kovacs’ passing, but released a statement expressing his condolences.
“On behalf of the International Fraternity of Delta Kappa Epsilon and the Brothers of our chapter at Rutgers University, we would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Caitlyn Kovacs. We also wish to extend our sympathies to the students of Rutgers University as they endure this time of grief and misfortune,” McGeown said. “As the investigation of the incident is ongoing, Delta Kappa Epsilon is fully cooperating with local and county authorities.”