A 19-year-old student tragically fell to her death when she plunged nearly a dozen stories down a trash chute last week, police said on Friday, November 19.
Justine Gross's tragic death is still under investigation, but the State College Police Department said the incident "appears to be accidental in nature."
Police added that "all witnesses" are "fully cooperating with police".
The Penn State student was last seen November 10 and was reported missing the next day, the State College Police Department said in a press release.
The SCPD said Gross is believed to have fallen into the chute around 11:30 PM on November 10.
Her body was later found at a recycling and refuse transfer station in the early hours of November 12 after the trash receptacle had been hauled away.
Justine plunged nearly a dozen floors after she fell "inside an 11th floor solid waste disposal chute" in an apartment building and "into a waste receptacle on the ground floor," police said.
"Video evidence suggests she was alone in the 11th-floor hallway and in the waste disposal room when she fell," police added.
Penn State spokesperson Lisa Powers told NJ Advance that it would be "inappropriate for the University to interfere with that investigation nor to address information that has not been publicly released."
"We are heartbroken for the family and friends of Justine Gross and offer our condolences to all who knew and loved her," Powers said in a statement.
"Penn State staff in Student Affairs and beyond are offering assistance to family and acquaintances who are mourning this loss."
A vigil was held for Justine on Thursday night outside the apartment building, and her funeral was held Saturday in New Jersey.
According to an obituary posted online, Gross was described as a "ray of sunshine" with a "sassy and fun personality" who was a varsity cheerleading team captain at Summit High School in New Jersey, where she graduated in 2020.
The teen was enrolled in her second year at Penn State University's College of Liberal Arts, according to the obituary.
"She loved music, dancing, learning about fashion and makeup, and lovingly teasing her family members. Justine had a vibrant and infectious personality that helped her connect with others easily," it reads.
"She had a laugh and a smile that could brighten anyone’s day. She always brought so much life, warmth, and joy to her family at home," it adds.
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