As the investigation continued Friday into the death of a University of Georgia student, people who knew her remembered the friendly face of a campus leader.
Mikal Ghirmazghi, 21, was found in her dorm room Thursday night in Russell Hall, where she served as a resident assistant for freshmen. Police found no signs of foul play or obvious clues to her death. An autopsy is planned Saturday at the GBI crime lab, Clarke County coroner Sonny Wilson said.
Through her campus job, “Miki” wasn’t just in charge of the students who lived on her hall. She was their friend, an older student who helped freshmen get accustomed to college life, sophomore Carleen Porter told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
“She was awesome, really sweet,” Porter said. “She was best friends with half of our hall.”
When some residents of her hall suggested a radio would be nice in the shower area, Ghirmazghi decided to buy one herself for everyone to use, Janie Johnson, also a sophomore, said Friday.
“She was always checking on everybody, Johnson said.
Some students saw the police cars outside Russell Hall around 6 p.m. Thursday and wondered what had happened. A campus-wide email confirmed the news.
“Oh no, not Miki,” Porter said was her first thought.
News spread quickly about Ghirmazghi, and friends and classmates used social media to express their shock and condolences.
“It breaks my heart that you’re gone miki, but just know that we love you and our lives are forever better because of you! #RIP,” one student posted on Twitter.
Some students gathered late Thursday to share memories and stories of Ghirmazghi, who recently went to New Orleans for spring break, Johnson said. A prayer circle was also held on campus, she said.
Funeral arrangements had not been announced late Friday.
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