Campus, News

COM senior dies in New Jersey home over break

A Boston University student was found dead in her New Jersey home last Sunday afternoon, police officials said.

Victoria ‘Tori’ Rubino, a College of Communication senior, died of unknown causes, Bergen County Police Department Sgt. Robert Abrahamsen said.

A Bergen County medical examiner was requested to examine a ‘suspicious death’ shortly after 5 p.m. on March 8, Abrahamsen said. However, the word ‘suspicious’ does not necessarily mean foul play was involved.

‘It could be something as little as [that she] doesn’t have a doctor-signed death certificate or a regular attending physician,’ Abrahamsen said.

A BU police officer contacted Tuesday said the department was also notified of the incident.

College of Arts and Sciences senior Katrina Weed said she has known Rubino since the two tried out for the dance group BU on Tap their freshmen year. Rubino had been the vice president and treasurer of the group.

‘It’s just such a tragedy,’ Weed said. ‘She was so young, and she was really just a genuine person. I can’t think of one negative thing about her. I just can’t even believe it. She will be dearly missed by so many.’

Rubino’s roommate, fellow COM senior Amy Gromek was part of the close-knit club and served as president when Rubino was vice president. Gromek, a Daily Free Press reporter, said the two had a lot in common, including matching journalism majors.

‘She helped me so much throughout college,’ Gromek said. ‘The last time I saw her was on Wednesday before break, and I was freaking out because I had a midterm the next day . . . I remember one of the last things she said to me: ‘I think you know more than you give yourself credit for.’ She was just always an encouraging person. For the whole night, I just thought about what she said, and it just helped me to keep going.’

Although friends said Rubino was calm and dedicated to school, she was also full of surprises. Weed said Rubino would often crack jokes at just the right times during rehearsal and make all the dancers laugh. One day, she even shocked everyone by showing off her hip hop dancing skills.

‘Tori’s the kind of person who’s kind of quiet at first, but then once you get to know her, she’s just funny and loud,’ Weed said.

Gromek said she learned of Rubino’s death from a BU Today reporter calling for comment about her friend because she missed a call from Dean of Students Kenneth Elmore while on spring break in California. She returned to the east coast for Rubino’s funeral, where she said family and friends had positive things to say about her.

‘It was heartbreaking.’ Gromek said. ‘It was probably the hardest day ever, but it was also really beautiful.’

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