You could always find her at the Wesley serving others and surrounded by people who truly cared. Her name was Ming-Chen Hsiao, but others called her “Mandy.”

Mandy was an international student who recently graduated with her master’s degree in May. Three months later, she died from a stab wound at her apartment right off the campus.

The unfortunate incident left many shocked, especially those who knew her personally.

Tra’von Washington was a close friend of Mandy’s who said her death was almost unreal.

“I would always see her almost every day, so after a while I started wondering what was going on with her,” said Washington, a senior kinesiology major.

Washington said he was in complete disbelief once he found out he would never see Mandy again.

He misses her dearly, but he said he will continue to carry on her life example.

He said humility is one of many ways to describe the kind of life she lived.

“She was never afraid to ask for help,” said Washington. “And I feel like that’s what most people can get from Mandy.”

Kristin Gadwa said she will certainly miss her too. She said one thing that always stood about Mandy was her heart.

“She taught me how to love,” said Gadwa, director of missions at the Wesley. “That’s the biggest thing she did.”

Gadwa said she still giggles when she thinks about Mandy riding her bike into the parking lot at the Wesley.

“We always knew it was her by how she rode her bike and how she held herself,” Gadwa said.

Gadwa said Mandy showed her and the Wesley family something they will never forget.

“She taught us how to serve people,” said Gadwa. “And it was a good thing for all of us to learn to do that.”

While those who remember Mandy mourn and celebrate her life, they eagerly wait to find out what exactly happened to their beloved friend.

Detective Reggie Brown of the Monroe Police Department said that details of the homicide can’t be released at this time.

“Our detectives are diligently following leads,” said Brown. “We do have some tips that could possibly help solve the case and at this time we are working hard and tirelessly to solve this case.”

Washington said Mandy was looking for “different types” of jobs before she died and that the next chapter of her life were looking bright. He said her sudden death has taught him a valuable lesson.

“We all should just cherish our life and the people around us because we never know when that person is going to leave,” Washington said.