UCLA sorority girl murdered days before she was due in court on drug dealing charges

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Andrea 'Andy' DelVesco, 21, was discovered dead in her Westwood apartment Monday following a fire
Investigators ruled DelVesco's death a homicide, but they are still trying to determine what caused her death
LAPD are looking to talk to a 'person of interest' who was seen fleeing from the fire
DelVesco, a native of Texas, was member of Pi Beta Phi sorority and was majoring in psychology and Spanish
She was charged in July with possession of ecstasy, meth, LSD and hallucinogenic mushrooms with intent to sell
The co-ed was due in court Friday in connection to the drug case

Published: 08:54 EST, 25 September 2015 | Updated: 12:36 EST, 25 September 2015

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The death of a UCLA student whose scorched body was found inside a Westwood apartment following a fire earlier this week is being investigated as a homicide.

Firefighters responding to a blaze at an off-campus apartment complex in the 10900 block of Roebling Avenue in Westwood made the gruesome discovery at around 7am Monday.

It has since emerged that the victim, identified as 21-year-old Andrea DelVesco, had a drug case pending against her in which the blonde co-ed was accused of being in possession of several different controlled substances.

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Mystery death: Andrea 'Andy' DelVesco, 21 (left and right), a senior at UCLA, was found dead in her Westwood apartment Monday following a fire

Unanswered questions: Investigators have ruled DelVesco's death a homicide, but they are still trying to determine what caused her death

Inferno: Firefighters responded to a blaze at an off-campus apartment complex in the 10900 block of Roebling Avenue in Westwood early Monday morning

Emergency call: It took more than 30 first responders about 15 minutes to put out the flames

Gruesome find: While searching through the unit where the fire broke out, firefighters discovered DelVesco's badly burned body

Loose ends: The LAPD are looking to talk to an unnamed 'person of interest' who was seen running from the burning apartment

She was pronounced dead on the scene Monday. It took more than 30 firefighters about 15 minutes to put out the flames.

DelVesco was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority's UCLA chapter and was a senior majoring in psychology and Spanish, reported Daily Bruin. Her death came on the first day of the fall semester.

‘Andy had a contagious spirit and was a fearless giver,’ said Pi Beta Phi Chapter President Jacquie Medeiros in a statement. ‘Andy was a friend to every person she met. She was always inclusive and there for everyone.’

Coroner Lt. Fred Corral later revealed that DelVesco’s death is being investigated as an apparent homicide.

According to officials, DelVesco's apartment was equipped with working smoke alarms, and there were no bars on the windows to prevent her from escaping the flames and smoke.

Legal troubles: It has emerged that the UCLA senior (left and right) was charged in July with multiple counts of drug possession with intent to sell

Suspected drug dealer: Delvasco was arrested in early June and arraigned a month later on charges of possessing ecstasy, LSD , methamphetamine and hallucinogenic mushrooms

Arson investigators and LAPD detectives are still trying to determine whether the 21-year-old died before the fire broke out, or whether she perished in the blaze.

LAPD Chief Charlie Beck said Tuesday that a 'person of interest' was seen fleeing the scene of the fire. Police are looking to interview the person in question, who has not been named, according to LA Times.

UCLA released a statement from Chancellor Gene Block offering condolences to Ms Delvasco's family and friends.

'UCLA is a close-knit community, and this tragic event affects us all,' the statement read in part, according to ABC7.

Since Delvasco was identified as the victim in the fire, it has been revealed that the UCLA senior was charged in July with multiple counts of drug possession with intent to sell.

Court records obtained by NBC Los Angeles show Delvasco was arrested in early June in Westwood and arraigned a month later on charges of possessing ecstasy, LSD , methamphetamine and hallucinogenic mushrooms.

Curious timing: The 21-year-old woman was scheduled to appear in court September 25 in connection to her drug case

Hard-working: Over the summer, DelVesco worked as a clerk at a Brentwood law office and was also employed at a Jumba Juice on campus

Family's grief: The 21-year-old, a native of Texas, is survived by (L to R) younger sister Alexis, brother James and their parents

The sorority girl pleaded not guilty to all counts and was released on her own recognizance. She was due back in court Friday, at which time a judge was supposed to set a date for a preliminary hearing.

Over the summer, DelVesco worked as a clerk at a Brentwood law office and was also employed at a Jumba Juice on campus, reported NBC.

The 21-year-old, a native of Texas, is survived by her parents, younger sister Alexis and brother James.