The Ypsilanti Police Department released additional information late Thursday afternoon regarding its continuing investigation into the suspicious death of 23-year-old Eastern Michigan University student Julia Catherine Niswender.
According to the YPD, officers were dispatched Dec. 11 to Niswender’s residence in the Peninsular Place apartment complex, located at 1000 N. Huron River Drive in Ypsilanti, to conduct a welfare check because family and friends had not heard from her in a couple days. Officers located Niswender deceased within her apartment.
On Dec. 12 an autopsy was performed by the Washtenaw County Medical Examiner, who at this time has listed the cause of Niswender’s death as “pending.” A toxicology analysis will be completed and the results should be available in two to three weeks.
The YPD said even though there were no outward signs of trauma to the body there were “indicators” of possible foul play, and the case will continue to be investigated as a homicide until proven otherwise.
Detectives have and will continue to interview Niswender’s family, friends and co-workers in an attempt to determine what happened to cause her death. The YPD said detectives have been in close contact with the Niswender family and are following a number of leads.
Area agencies, such as Eastern Michigan University Department of Public Safety and the Michigan State Police are providing personnel and resources to assist with the investigation.
Anyone with information about the crime is asked to contact Ypsilanti Police Detective Sgt. Thomas Eberts at 734-482-9878 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAKUP.
