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Slain NY student’s friends focus on violence issue

This undated photo provided by Mary Kate Heaton shows Alexandra Kogut in New York, N.Y. Kogut's body was found shortly before 3 a.m. Saturday at the State University of New York College at Brockport, 15 miles west of Rochester. Her boyfriend, 21-year-old Clayton Whittemore, was arrested at a Thruway rest stop near Syracuse about an hour later. He told state troopers that he intentionally killed the Kogut, according to a criminal complaint. No motive was given. (Mary Kate Heaton)
Carolyn Thompson Associated Press
This undated photo provided by Mary Kate Heaton shows Alexandra Kogut in New York, N.Y. Kogut's body was found shortly before 3 a.m. Saturday at the State University of New York College at Brockport, 15 miles west of Rochester. Her boyfriend, 21-year-old Clayton Whittemore, was arrested at a Thruway rest stop near Syracuse about an hour later. He told state troopers that he intentionally killed the Kogut, according to a criminal complaint. No motive was given. (Mary Kate Heaton)

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — As her family mourns her death, friends of a college freshman who police say was beaten to death in her dorm room by her boyfriend have urged people to wear purple to raise awareness of domestic violence.

Alexandra Kogut’s body was found shortly before 3 a.m. Saturday at the State University of New York College at Brockport, 15 miles west of Rochester. Her boyfriend, 21-year-old Clayton Whittemore, was arrested at a rest stop near Syracuse, 100 miles east, about an hour later.

Whittemore pleaded not guilty over the weekend to a murder charge and is being held without bail in Monroe County Jail.

Kogut’s family released a statement saying she was “a bright, beautiful young woman who was thrilled to be beginning her college education.”