UCLA Sorority Sister Dies After Falling From Seattle Apartment; Family Questions Circumstances

Dayanara Nicole Urbina Ruiz, a 21-year-old UCLA undergraduate and member of Phi Lambda Rho, has died after falling from an open window at the Trailside Seattle Apartments overlooking the Burke-Gilman Trail. The King County Medical Examiner has ruled her death an accident, citing multiple blunt-force injuries consistent with an unintentional fall.

According to a 911 call placed at about 9:19 p.m., a friend told dispatchers Urbina Ruiz was "extremely" intoxicated and running in the street moments before the fall. The friend said she had been trying to get Urbina Ruiz back inside the apartment for safety.

"OUTSIDE, REPORTING PARTY'S (RP) EXTREMELY INTOX FRIEND RUNNING AROUND. RP TRYING TO GET HER BACK INSIDE TO HER APARTMENT. SUBJ TRYING TO GET INTO PEOPLE'S VEHS. RUNNING IN THE STREET. INTOX ON ALCOHOL. NO WPNS," a police dispatch log noted.

Urbina Ruiz worked as a summer marketing intern at Amazon Web Services and was studying communications at UCLA. Her family, however, has publicly disputed the description of her as heavily intoxicated, saying that it does not match the person they knew. Her sister Catherine told reporters that friends said Dayanara began drinking around 4 p.m. and became resistant when it was time to leave, but the family says she was responsible and unlikely to behave recklessly.

The Trailside Seattle Apartments advertise themselves as a luxury student community near the University of Washington and sit adjacent to the nearly 20-mile Burke-Gilman Trail, a busy route for walkers, runners and cyclists. The building's location and the public nature of the trail have contributed to public interest in the circumstances of the fall.

Members of Phi Lambda Rho and classmates have paid tribute to Urbina Ruiz on social media, calling her a "bright light" and a "gentle soul." The sorority extended condolences to her family and friends as they mourn her loss.

Urbina Ruiz's family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral and related expenses; the fundraiser is reported to be nearing its $24,000 goal. The family thanked donors and those offering prayers and support during a difficult time.

Authorities have described the death as accidental, and the medical examiner's ruling reflects that determination. Family members, however, have raised questions about the events leading up to the fall. As the community grieves, relatives and friends continue to seek clarity and remember Urbina Ruiz for her compassion and accomplishments.

Dayanara Nicole Urbina Ruiz, who died after falling from a window along the Burke-Gilman Trail. Instagram/@philambdarho_

The building where UCLA sorority sister Dayanara Nicole Urbina Ruiz fell from an open window is located alongside Seattle's Burke-Gilman Trail. Obtained by CA Post

The building where Urbina Ruiz fell from an open window. Instagram/@livetrailside

The building where UCLA sorority sister Dayanara Nicole Urbina Ruiz fell from an open window is located alongside Seattle's Burke-Gilman Trail. Police say she was partying hard when she died. Obtained by CA Post

Urbina Ruiz was working as a summer marketing intern at Amazon Web Services. Instagram/@philambdarho_

View from inside an apartment unit within the building where Urbina Ruiz fell. Obtained by CA Post

The Burke-Gilman Trail is popular with local residents. Jam Press

Urbina Ruiz left behind heartbroken family and friends. Instagram/@philambdarho_

Urbina Ruiz was a successful comms major at UCLA. Jam Press

Urbina Ruiz was living in this trendy neighborhood when she died. Instagram/@livetrailside