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Alcohol suspected in death of Rutgers student

Authorities are investigating the weekend death of a student at Rutgers University and the role alcohol may have played.

The Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office said 19-year-old Caitlyn Kovacs, of South Brunswick, died early Sunday after she was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital from a gathering at a fraternity house.

Friends brought Kovacs, a sophomore in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, to the hospital when she appeared to be in distress at the Delta Kappa Epsilon house.

Investigators believe her death may be alcohol-related, the prosecutor's office said. The Middlesex County Medical Examiner's Office will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

Rutgers said counselors would be available to students.

In a statement, Rutgers President Robert Barchi called Kovacs' death "a tragic loss to her family, her friends, and the entire Rutgers community."

"This is a time, too, when we need to reach out to one another and show our love, support, and compassion," he said. "This is a time to let each other know that we care and to share our strength and understanding with those in need so that we come through this tragedy with a deeper commitment to each member of the Rutgers community."

Doug Lanpher, executive director of Delta Kappa Epsilon International, said in a statement that the fraternity was cooperating with authorities in the investigation.

He also said the fraternity "would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Caitlyn Kovacs" and "extend our sympathies to the students of Rutgers University as they endure this time of grief and misfortune."

A Rutgers sophomore who also attended South Brunswick High School with Kovacs told NJ.com that his friend was known for school spirit.

"She was always involved in planning pep rallies and the powder puff games and stuff like that," Aaron Laserna told the news outlet. "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."