SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN: On June 3, Tennessee State University vet student Mia Kanu was found unresponsive on Providence Drive in Southfield road, about 15 miles northwest of Detroit, Michigan after spending a night with friends at a house party. Surveillance footage obtained by police showed the 23-year-old either falling off or being pushed out of a car hours before being seen by a passerby.
In the wake of Kanu’s death, her mother, Bianca Vanmeter, wondered why her daughter’s friends left her to die on the road instead of calling 911 to seek help. Kanu was taken to the Ascension Providence Hospital and pronounced dead on June 5. She was placed back on life support until June 8 as she was an organ donor. While police are unsure if Kanu fell out or was pushed, her death is being investigated as homicide. Authorities also mentioned that the TSU senior suffered “significant head trauma” prior to her death.
What is known about Bianca Vanmeter?
Vanmeter is the mother of Tennessee State University student Kanu, who was mysteriously found dead after partying with friends in Southfield, Michigan. Following Kanu's death, the grieving mother took to Facebook to share a footage of her daughter's body being rolled down a hall for organ donation. Vanmeter said she last saw her daughter alive on the morning of June 2 before the latter went to work. She added that a female friend, who was staying with Vanmeter and Kanu, picked up the latter from work at the Green Lantern in Berkley before she went to the house party.
Vanmeter said the vehicle used to pick up Kanu from work was the same one seen in the unreleased surveillance video. Seeking answers for her daughter's tragic and mysterious fate, Vanmeter told Fox 2 Detroit, “Something happened and somebody knows something, and we just want those answers. If they could just tell the true story of what happened and why they didn’t go back for her, why they didn’t help her more. I would really want to know that.”
“She was with her friends, and from my understanding, she was thrown out or fell out of a vehicle. She was found on the side of the road, and she was left there. I want to know what really happened and if they were with friends, why wouldn’t they call 911?” the mother said, the Atlanta Black Star reported. “There was no brain activity. Her liver went to a baby, her kidneys went to a recipient and her tissues and muscles were donated to the Gift of Life... She just looked like a beautiful angel laying in bed,” Vanmeter said, recalling the final days of her daughter.
Bianca Vanmeter launches GoFundMe fundraiser for Mia Kanu's funeral
Following Kanu’s death, Vanmeter launched a GoFundMe fundraiser named “In loving memory of Mia,” to raise funds for her daughter’s funeral and memorial. “Our beloved Mia recently passed on 6/5/2023. Mia was a wonderful daughter, sister, niece, cousin and friend who touched the lives of those around her. She leaves behind countless family members and an abundance of friendships she built throughout her years,” the page read.
“Mia dedicated her life to her family and her friends. She was so kind, loving, sweet and funny. She was always a team leader and very active in volleyball and school activities. Mia was on track to be a veterinarian until her dreams were cut short. We are all devastated by Mia’s loss. We will provide details about her funeral and memorial arrangements in the near future,” it continued.
“In this time of heartbreak, we aim to ease financial burdens by launching this GoFundMe campaign. Your generous contributions will truly help her family get through this difficult time,” Vanmeter added in the fundraiser. An update on the page read, “We express our deepest gratitude for your overwhelming support through the GoFundMe campaign.”
It added, “While handling the donation of Mia’s organs, planning for her funeral, burial, and celebration of life, and getting the word out to the press requesting any additional details from the public we have witnessed an outpouring of love, compassion, and financial contributions from all corners. Your support and well wishes have been invaluable during this challenging time. Every message of encouragement, every kind word, and every gesture of solidarity serves as a source of strength. Knowing there is a community of caring individuals standing in unity to find answers and #JUSTICEFORMIA is uplifting.”
“As we move forward, we ask you to keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Your positive energy and stories about Mia are always welcome and appreciated,” Vanmeter concluded in the page. The GoFundMe has managed to raise over $37,600 as of Saturday, June 24, evening.