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Police remain quiet on GVSU student death, ask public not to spread "misinformation" online

The body of a Grand Valley student was found by a runner near the school's intramural sports fields on Saturday
Posted at 4:02 PM, Dec 14, 2020
and last updated 2020-12-14 20:54:07-05

ALLENDALE, Mich. — Grand Valley State University Police are asking the public to stay away from spreading "misinformation" on social media regarding the body of a student who was found on campus Saturday.

Someone running near the school's intramural sports fields Saturday found the body nearby. GVSU has since confirmed the deceased was a student.

Sophomore at GVSU Sawyer Fil tolf DOX 17 Monday that, “Allendale is usually a pretty safe place, it’s super unexpected.”

Many of the students speaking to FOX 17 said they had heard several rumors regarding what happened to the victim and who they were, though nobody felt like they had the full story.

RELATED: Body found on GVSU campus identified as student

"It was definitely for me, I felt like an unsafe sort of feeling," sophomore Hannah Leone, who often walks the area where the body was found, said.

“I love going on walks around campus... now it's more, should I be with someone, maybe walking around more when it's light outside, rather than when its dark outside.”

The Grand Valley State Police Department, which is stationed on campus, is investigating the death alongside the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office and Michigan State Police.

"I offer my deepest condolences to the student’s family and friends. We are not sharing the student's name out of respect for the family," said school president Philomena V. Mantella in a statement to students and staff.

She continued, saying, "I want to assure you that we have every resource devoted to the investigation and in support of our campus community... This is a jarring and shocking event for all of us."

The Grand Valley State Police Department did issue a statement Monday afternoon asking the public not to "rush to any conclusions and not to spread misinformation," particularly via social media.

They say any updates will come from their department when the time is right.

SEE MORE: GVSU PD: Violence reported on social media not related to student death

Anyone with information is asked to call the GVSU Police at (616) 331-3255 or Silent Observer at (877) 887-4536.