New Orleans College Student Pronounced Dead at Hospital After Taking Uber Ride

A 21-year-old University of New Orleans student was pronounced dead at a hospital after taking an Uber ride.

According to the New Orleans Police Department, Ciaya Jordan Whetstone — a junior majoring in business, who was originally from Bamberg, South Carolina — was dropped off at the hospital via "private conveyance" just before 7 a.m. on Saturday.

Shortly after she arrived, emergency medical personnel declared her "deceased.”

As reported by the New Orleans Advocate, friend Juliett Orr says Whetstone was at a bar Friday night celebrating Mardi Gras when a different friend of hers took her to her boyfriend's house in Harahan. However, Orr said Whetstone later decided to get an Uber to check on her dog in the middle of the night.

Per People, Whetstone's co-worker, Dawn Gegenheimer, reportedly wrote in what appears to be a since-deleted Facebook post that Whetstone got into an Uber around 1 a.m. on Saturday.

People adds that this was the last time she was seen before she showed up at the hospital. The outlet notes it is also unclear if the Uber driver was the one who took her there.

Per Fox News Digital, a spokesperson for the New Orleans Police Department said they are investigating Whetstone’s case as an "unclassified death."

The outlet adds that Uber has launched an investigation and deactivated the account of the driver who allegedly picked her up.

"Our thoughts are with Ciaya Whetstone's family as they grieve the loss of their daughter," a representative for the rideshare company told the outlet. "We stand ready to assist law enforcement with their investigation."

While speaking to Fox News Digital, Whetstone's stepfather, Chris Ferrand, refused to comment on the case until the coroner has determined the cause of death and police have finished their investigation.

"Right now, my concern is getting Ciaya home so we can lay our angel to rest," he said.

In an interview with ABC 4 News, Whetstone’s cousin Grace Sutton said she received a text from Ciaya two days before her death that read, “you've been on my mind heavy lately.”

“Maybe it's a sign from God, but I wanted to let you know, I miss you so much. And I'm so proud of you and thankful that you've always been by my side, I'll never stop loving you,” Whetstone’s last message to Sutton read.

“I just asked God, 'Why, why, why, why, why her?' I just still feel so numb,” Sutton said about receiving the call about Whetstone’s death.