BAYTOWN, Texas — A Texas A&M University student was remembered by friends and family in her native Baytown on Tuesday.
“I wanted to be her so bad,” said younger sister, Ivana Romero.
She said 18-year-old Britney, her big sister, was her biggest role model.
“I dressed like her, I acted like her, I did my make-up like her," Ivana said. "I listened to the same music as her.”
Memories of the Texas A&M University freshman are all they have now, days after her sudden death believed to be the result of a fall early Sunday morning from a third-floor balcony at Dunn Hall in College Station.
"She was just a really amazing person, really,” friend Erick Morales said.
He said he spoke with Romero the night before she died.
"We were actually making plans to go to Texas State during Halloween, but it’s just sad that won’t be able to happen,” Morales said.
Friends said Romero was the one who connected most of them before and during their time at Ross Sterling High School, where she was known for her laugh and fun-loving nature.
"Her smile just lights up the room, you know?" friend Savina Sarduy said. "And it’s just contagious, like no matter who you are. If you see her smile, you’re going to smile and giggle.”
Romero’s cause of death is still under investigation and those who knew her best hope people let it take its course before making assumptions about how she may have died.
"And it’s, like, everyone is trying to figure it out," friend Teresa Vega said. "But I want us to figure it out first so we can deal with it and cope with it.”
Friends started a fundraiser for Romero’s family to help with, among other things, paying for a funeral.
That's something her younger sister never considered having to plan for such a vibrant soul.
"A sweet, loving person who can make you laugh no matter what situation you’re in,” Ivana said.
We’re told an autopsy was ordered by a Brazos County Justice of the Peace.
Meanwhile, counselors were made available at A&M for anyone in need of one.