The campus community at California State University Fullerton is grappling with profound grief following the tragic deaths of two 19-year-old students, who passed away just one week apart.
A Devastating Double Loss for the Titan Community
Destiny Morris, a vibrant member of the Titans Dance Team and the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, died on November 14, as confirmed by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. Her cause of death has not been made public.
Friends and teammates remembered Morris as an immensely dedicated student who had realised her dream of joining the prestigious Dance Team. Her sorority sisters and dance family described her as a constant source of light and inspiration whose spirit lifted everyone around her.
The university has announced plans to honour Destiny Morris with a moment of silence before the men's basketball Big West Conference home opener against Cal Poly on December 4. A public celebration of her life will be held on November 30 at By Your Side Dance Studio in Marina del Rey, the very studio where she grew up dancing.
Remembering Lauren Turner: A Life Cut Short
Morris's death comes just one week after the passing of fellow student Lauren Turner, a sophomore football player, who died on November 7 after spending weeks in intensive care.
Turner sustained severe head trauma in a devastating traffic collision on September 27. She and her teammate, Ashlyn Gwynn, were struck by a box truck while riding electric scooters on Associated Road near Yorba Linda Boulevard. They were on their way to attend a men's football game at the time.
Fullerton police confirmed that the driver of the Ford Econoline E350 remained at the scene and was cooperative. Authorities stated that drugs and alcohol were not factors in the crash, and no arrests have been made. It remains unclear whether the students were wearing helmets, and the investigation is ongoing.
Turner's parents confirmed her passing in a heartbreaking statement posted to a GoFundMe page, writing: 'Early this morning, our sweet Lauren fell asleep in the Lord. Our hearts are broken, and our family is forever changed.'
Campus Community Rallies in Grief and Support
The Titan women's football team honoured their teammates throughout their season with custom wristbands bearing the initials and jersey numbers 'LT5-AG7'. A candlelight vigil for Lauren Turner was held at the campus football stadium on November 12.
In a small beacon of hope, Ashlyn Gwynn, who was critically injured in the same accident, has since been moved out of the intensive care unit.
The twin tragedies have cast a shadow over the university, uniting the campus in mourning and remembrance for two young women whose lives were filled with promise and cut tragically short.
