PHOENIX — While law enforcement officials are investigating the death of Arizona State University student Ivan Aguirre, his family is remembering the person they lost.
Ivan Aguirre was found deceased in his dorm room at ASU's Greek Leadership Village earlier this week. His younger brother, Sam, remembers the last time he saw his older brother alive.
"He was at my football game, of course, on Senior Night," said Sam Aguirre, a senior at Sunnyslope High School in Central Phoenix. "[He was] just telling me 'great job' like he always did."
Sam said he is devastated at the loss of his brother. Ivan is remembered as a charismatic young man, a good athlete, and the type of person who made an impact wherever he went.
"He was a happy-go-lucky kid," said Paul Aguirre, Ivan's uncle. "Every time he walked into a room you knew it. Every time I talked to him there was always something new that he was involved in."
According to a GoFundMe set up by Paul, Ivan came from humble beginnings. The oldest of three, Ivan and his younger siblings, Sam and Gabby, were raised by a single father who is disabled.
Ivan Aguirre received an academic scholarship to attend both Brophy College Preparatory and ASU.
"That kid was going to be the president or run a Fortune 500 company," said Noah Aguirre, Ivan's cousin. "He kind of looked up to me when we were younger, but as we got older, I started looking up to him more. He was going to achieve greatness and no less."
Donations have poured in since a GoFundMe was created in Ivan Aguirre's honor, and has raised more than $34,000.
"His sense of humor didn’t have an off switch and he was a source of pride to the Aguirre family for his intelligence, respectful nature, loyalty, celebrity good looks, charm, athleticism and unlimited potential. He was excelling academically at ASU and was on track to greatness in life," said Paul Aguirre.
The family says funeral services will be held on at Brophy on Saturday, November 16, at 9:30 a.m.
