Julia Niswender Killed, No Suspect In Eastern Michigan University Student's Death

Eastern Michigan Student Allegedly Killed

Julia Niswender, a 23-year-old Eastern Michigan University student, was found dead in her off-campus Ypsilanti, Mich., apartment Tuesday night. The case is being treated as a homicide, the Detroit Free Press reports.

Police wouldn’t reveal the details of Niswender’s death, according to CBS Detroit, and a campus bulletin circulating Wednesday said the motive and any potential suspects had not been determined.

Niswender lived on the first floor of the Peninsular Place apartments, where Christmas decorations hung outside her door, according to AnnArbor.com. Someone had left a note there that read in part: “RIP=? Love you Julia.”

A neighbor told AnnArbor.com that all was quiet at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, but by 9:30 p.m. the area around her apartment was bustling with police activity. An ambulance spokeswoman told the site that Niswender was pronounced dead upon the paramedics' arrival.

The news outlet reports campus cops and Ypsilanti police are working together in the investigation, as EMU spokesman Walter Kraft told students in email on Wednesday.

Kraft described Niswender as "popular, well-liked and very well-thought-of."

Another neighbor, Will Thomas, told the Free Press that Niswender was pleasant and friendly.

Niswender’s Facebook page indicates she was majoring in electronic media and film, and had also worked at a Walmart in Saline since October 2011 as a sales associate in apparel. She has a twin sister.

Clarification: "Murdered" was changed for "Killed" in one headline for this article. Police have determined Niswender died at another's hands. Intent is still unknown.

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