her close friend and classmate edythe kearns. >> denita just always knew what she wanted. always had a vision and a goal. and she would make a plan and stick to it and take it step by step until she met that goal. >> reporter: denita lived in the campus crossings apartments, near the university. around 8:00 a.m. a 911 call came in from another student at the same complex. >> 911, what is your emergency? >> i think this girl just fell down the stairs. she's at the bottom of the stairs, head busted up and blood everywhere. >> okay, is she responding to you at all? >> she's not even moving. do you want me to get her id out of her pocket? >> if you can. >> her name is denita monique smith. >> okay. >> denita! she ain't moving, man. >> reporter: denita seemed to have perhaps lost her balance and fallen down the stairs. police and paramedics rushed to the complex. the college was quickly notified, as was denita's family. >> "miss smith, denita fell. she's unconscious, but they're trying to revive her." he said, "are you coming to durham?" and i'm still trying to wrap my head aro