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Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, where a 19-year-old Rutgers student died this morning, according to authorities.

(Frances Micklow)

Police are investigating the death of a Rutgers University sophomore early this morning.

Caitlyn P. Kovacs, 19, of Monmouth Junction, was pronounced dead at 3:19 this morning at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick. The preliminary investigation shows that the death may have been alcohol-related, authorities said.

She was taken to the hospital at about 3 a.m. by friends after she "appeared to be in distress" at a small gathering at the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity house on College Avenue, according to a news release from Middlesex County prosecutor Andrew Carey.

Police began investigating after hospital officials alerted them at 3:28 a.m., Carey's office said.

Investigators stand outside the Delta Kappa Epsilon house on College Avenue in New Brunswick today.

The cause of death won't be determined until an autopsy is completed by the Middlesex County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Aaron Laserna, a 19-year-old sophomore at Rutgers and a friend of Kovacs's since they were both freshmen at South Brunswick High School, said he learned of her death through an email from the school this morning.

Her described her as being full of school spirit and infectious energy.

"'She was always involved in planning pep rallies and the powder puff games and stuff like that,’’ said Laserna. ''She had a lot of energy and always had a smile on her face. She was always happy and fun to be around. I can’t believe she’s gone.''

He said he counted Kovacs as being among his closest friends, even seeking her out to serve as his escort when competing in his high school talent show last year.

''I was friends with Caitlyn and we were in the student council together, so I asked her," he said. "To commemorate her life today I took the picture of us from that talent show and put up on Twitter. It’s something I will never forget.’'

Kovacs with longtime friend Aaron Laserna last year.

Melissa Mielko, a Rowan University student who attended South Brunswick High with Kovacs, remembered her as a sweet, fun-loving girl with an "upbeat, bubbly personality."

"She was always laughing and making others laugh and smile as well. She was a good kid with a good head on her shoulders," she said.

A spokesman for the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office said there was no expectation that charges would be filed in connection with the case today.

Ian McGeown, president of the Rutgers chapter of Delta Kappa Epsilon, would not comment beyond a statement issued by Delta Kappa Epsilon International Executive Director Doug Laphner.

“On behalf of the International Fraternity of Delta Kappa Epsilon and the Brothers of our chapter at Rutgers University, we would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Caitlyn Kovacs. We also wish to extend our sympathies to the students of Rutgers University as they endure this time of grief and misfortune,” the statement said. “As the investigation of the incident is ongoing, Delta Kappa Epsilon is fully cooperating with local and county authorities.”

Delta Kappa Epsilon was founded in 1844 by 15 undergraduates at Yale. The fraternity’s motto is "Kerothen Philoi Aei" or "Friends from the Heart, Forever."

The Facebook page of the Rutgers chapter says the fraternity currently has 55 active members and is "looking for steady growth of gentlemen, scholars, and jolly good fellows within the Rutgers community in New Brunswick."

Chapters of the fraternity have faced controversy in the past.

The Delta Kappa Epsilon chapter at Yale was banned in 2011 from conducting fraternity activities on campus, including recruiting, after a pledge event that included sexually-explicit chanting.

In a message sent to the New Brunswick campus community today, Rutgers President Robert Barchi said, "We are deeply saddened to report the passing of Caitlyn Kovacs, a sophomore at the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, majoring in animal sciences. Her passing over the weekend is a tragic loss to her family, her friends, and the entire Rutgers community."

Barchi said the university would offer grief counseling today at 7 p.m. at the Student Activities Center (College Avenue Campus) and in the College Avenue Student Center. Counseling is also available through Counseling ADAP & Psychiatric Services; call (848) 932-7884 or visit http://rhscaps.rutgers.edu/.

"This is a time, too, when we need to reach out to one another and show

our love, support, and compassion," Barchi said. "This is a time to let each other know

that we care and to share our strength and understanding with those in

need so that we come through this tragedy with a deeper commitment to

each member of the Rutgers community."

Rutgers University Police Lt. Paul Fischer, New Brunswick Police Det. Ken Abode and Detective Jeffrey Temple of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office have been assigned to the investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to call Lt. Fischer at (848) 932-8025, Detective. Abode at (732) 745-5217 or Detective Temple at (732) 745-3300.

NJ Advance Media reporters Erin O'Neill, Vernal Coleman and James Lambert contributed to this report.

Brian Amaral may be reached at bamaral@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @bamaral44. Find NJ.com on Facebook.