Thousands Expected at Memorial for Slain UNC Student Leader

Chapel Hill, N.C. — The academic community will gather Tuesday to mourn the loss of Eve Carson, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill senior and student body president.

As many as 15,000 people are expected to attend a memorial service at the Dean E. Smith Center at 4 p.m.

Chapel Hill police found Carson's body on Hillcrest Circle about a half-mile from campus on March 5. Her death sparked a widespread outpouring of grief across the Triangle.

"It's not just those that she touched on a daily basis at Chapel Hill. It's everyone,” said Zach Adams, senior class president at North Carolina State University.

Adams said he met Carson once.

"In just a brief conversation, she just had so much positive energy,” he said.

Adams said he felt compelled to do something in Carson's memory.

He wanted to "show her parents, her friends, her family and everyone that we all care and feel what they are going through,” Adams said.

Adams is asking N.C. State students and alumni to wear Carolina blue Tuesday in her honor.

"N.C. State hates Carolina blue, so what better way (than) to just throw aside the rivalry to show that this means more and this is bigger than any rivalry between N.C. State and Carolina,” he said.

Meredith College is also remembering Carson.

"It really hit home for me because I am the Student Government Association president,” said Meredith College student Britney Brown.

Brown, along with other students, are making blue ribbons to be worn Tuesday in remembrance of Carson.

"Just as it happened on their campus, it could easily happen on ours,” Brown said.

Carson, 22, a pre-med major studying political science and biology, was active in leadership and service roles.

"You start to think, this could happen to anybody. You know, senseless acts of violence don't pick their targets,” Adams said.

UNC students returned to campus Monday after a week of spring break to learn of two arrests in Carson's death. Laurence Alvin Lovette Jr. and Demario James Atwater were charged last week with first-degree murder.

Doors will open at 3 p.m. Tuesday for the memorial service. N.C. State will also have a moment of silence to remember Carson, just after 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Brickyard.