- 'She's purple!' Room-mate had told 911 operator in frantic call
- 'We know you are in heaven': Father posts online tribute
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Graduation: Ann Marie Hefferin's graduation photo posted online by her father
A candle-lit vigil was held last night for the popular University of Central Florida student who died mysteriously after drinking alcohol at a fraternity party.
Hundreds of students attended the ceremony for 18-year-old Ann Hefferin at the university's Reflecting Pond, with members of her Delta Delta Delta sorority present.
It came as her father, Mark Hefferin, posted an online tribute to his daughter, who was found unresponsive by a room-mate last Thursday morning after returning from a Sigma Chi party.
At the 30-minute vigil, which was hosted by Miss Hefferin's sorority and marked by the strong feeling towards her, many dressed in all white or beige and carried white, yellow, pink and purple flowers.
University administrators were also in attendance.
One young woman, who knew Miss Hefferin from high school, told KnightNews.com: 'It's a devastating loss because she has been such a presence in our lives for the past four years.
She's been a role model. For us, losing her is like losing a part of ourselves.'
Another said: 'She always stood up for me whenever stuff was happening at school and just told me to be myself. I can't believe a person that genuine, that amazing, and that beautiful has gone.'
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Sorority sisters: Delta Delta Delta members arriving yesterday at University of Central Florida Reflecting Pond to host a vigil in memory of Ann Marie Hefferin
Delta Delta Delta: Miss Hefferin's vigil was hosted by the sorority she had recently joined
'Devastating loss': Students paid tribute to the 18-year-old, who touched many hearts
Freshman Daniela Berrios, 18, is friends with Hefferin's room-mates. She told the Orlando Sentinel: 'It was insane. It's our first weekend here. Our parents just dropped us off. It's scary, but I think it opened everyone's eyes.'
Later, her father posted an online tribute to his daughter, which read: 'To Our Daughter Ann Marie, We know you are in heaven looking down upon your family and friends.
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Share'We listen for your voice and await your next text as we pray that God will cradle you his Angel taken from us.
'Your radiant smile is playing to your favorite song (“Forever Yours” by Michael W Smith) as we prepare for your “Celebration of Life” tomorrow evening.
Miss Hefferin died last Thursday after returning from a party at Sigma Chi fraternity, where she has been drinking.
Frat party: This is the Sigma Chi house where Miss Hefferin reportedly went for a party the night before she died
Sorority: Miss Hefferin (on right of right image) had joined UCF's Delta Delta Delta sorority (website shown left)
Dorm room: This is the block of apartments where Miss Hefferin's room-mates found her body
A room-mate found her unconscious and in a panicked call to operators said: 'My friend was drinking and she woke me up and she’s sick, and now she's not responding. Her eyes were open. Now they're closed.
'I don't know what to do. She's purple! She told me her heart hurt.'
Moments later, the girl told the operators that Miss Hefferin 'took a gasp of air,' but later said she was not breathing and her pulse was faint.
The female caller was instructed by Orange County Fire Rescue to perform rescue breaths and chest compressions. Rescue personnel arrived on the scene shortly after CPR was started.
School days: Ann Marie Hefferin (third from right) attended Bishop Moore Catholic High School before UCF
Miss Hefferin was taken to Florida Hospital East where she was pronounced dead just after 4.30am.
Freshman student Miss Hefferin, a new member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority, attended a Sigma Chi fraternity house party on Wednesday for a little more than an hour, UCF officials said.
After questioning students, investigators have concluded that there was alcohol present - a violation of university policy.
'Although we do not know if it played a role in Ann's death, alcohol was at the Sigma Chi house,' said UCF spokesman Grant J. Heston.
Unresponsive: Miss Hefferin (fourth from left) was found by her UCF room-mate, who told operators she was purple
'This is a serious matter; the fraternity is immediately subject to our disciplinary process and will be held accountable for its actions. We await news from the medical examiner that will help further guide our investigation and response.'
Medical examiner Doctor Jan Garavaliga said that initial tests to determine the cause of the student’s death were inconclusive. More have been ordered to try to figure out how the nursing student died.
‘She was a really, really nice girl; friendly, outgoing. She seemed like a well-rounded student and knew how to have fun,’ UCF student Joey Manglardi told WFTV.
A Facebook group in memory of Miss Hefferin has more than 300 members.
A viewing and prayer service will be held tonight at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, and her funeral will be there tomorrow morning.
She was a graduate of Bishop Moore High School.
A memorial fund for scholarships at Bishop Moore has been established in her name.
Ann Hefferin Candlelight Vigil at UCF Reflecting Pond from Knight News on Vimeo.
Ann Hefferin Memorial from Knight News on Vimeo.
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