Thursday evening Nichole Birky's sorority sisters and family members stood hugging and crying, crowded together on the balcony of Delta Zeta sorority. And at 6 p.m., they watched as many more crowded onto the front lawn for the candlelight vigil in Birky's honor. \nThe property was packed with hundreds of students, most of whom brought flowers and gathered in groups, divided by the greek letters on their shirts. After a rain-soaked day, they came out and stood in a semi-circle in front of the house on ground as soggy as the tissues in their hands to support Birky's family and sorority sisters, whether they knew her personally or not.\n"I think the rain stopped purposefully for the vigil," said Interfraternity Council President Justin Sloan. "Events like the vigil this evening show the strength of the greek community. In times of need, we are there for one another and chapters support each other."\nAs the vigil began and candles were lit, the crowd became a glowing crescent surrounding the house, and some of Birky's family members and sisters came out the front door of the house in a line, carrying pink roses and candles. The women on the balcony welcomed everyone to the vigil and led it. \nSophomore and Delta Zeta member Anna Malone sang Bette Midler's "The Rose" and the group read a poem they wrote about Birky and her death, each pair of sisters reciting a different verse. The Delta Zeta sisters then sang a sorority song as several of them filed up to a vase on the lawn and placed their roses in it. \nBirky's mother closed the vigil by thanking everyone for coming and saying how much her daughter would have appreciated seeing everyone come to the sorority.\n"She loved it here and she loved everyone here," she said. "She had her happiest times here."\nThough sniffles and tears overcame the crowd and several members of Delta Zeta sobbed throughout the vigil, those who spoke said they wanted attendees to celebrate the joy of Birky's life.\n"One thing she would have wanted is for people to remember the funny things," said sophomore Jessica Braman, president of Delta Zeta. "She wouldn't want you to remember us crying."\nBefore the vigil began, bursts of laughter rang out over the sobs. One of Birky's sisters let out a "Woohoo!" in her honor, and several of the women on the balcony could be heard giggling as they recounted fond memories of Birky among themselves. \nBirky's father said she would have wanted to see people smiling, not crying, and her mother even said she would want her friends to still go out for a drink and have fun.\n"She'd say, 'Meet me at Scotty's (Brewhouse). Let's get it on!'" Birky's mother said.\nThe crowd appreciated the idea of remembering Birky's friendly personality and the good times she shared with others during her life.\n"I didn't know her on a personal basis, but from her friends and the laughter, I got the impression that she was a very uplifting, bright, caring, funny individual," Sloan said. "They wanted to celebrate it as much as they could with laughter, but at the same time, it was solemn."\nJunior Jeff Louis, Birky's classmate and friend, also said he thought the atmosphere of the vigil was appropriate.\n"It was probably how she would've liked it," he said. "It was really nice and I thought the girls handled it well."\nMany were overwhelmed by the turnout and shared Birky's sisters' and family's positive attitude.\n"I think (the turnout) is incredible," said sophomore Ali Gustafson, who knew Birky through a class and came to the vigil with several of her Gamma Phi Beta sorority sisters. "It's nice to hear people laughing through their tears. No one can take back what happened, but it's good that people can laugh and cry about it."\nLauren Sheridan, also a sophomore in Gamma Phi Beta, came to the vigil to support her older sister who is a senior in Delta Zeta. Sheridan knew Birky and said she was pleased with the vigil.\n"I think they have to find good things through the bad -- it's the only way they'll get through this," she said. "I just think it's really amazing that so many people showed up for her. \n"It's obvious many people loved her."\nBraman said the vigil helped the members of Delta Zeta cope with Birky's death and said she was amazed by how many came.\n"It has been a very traumatizing experience and the vigil was very therapeutic for us," she said. "It was comforting knowing there was so much love and support in our community. When I was standing up there with the girls (at the vigil), (Birky's) best friend kept saying how much love (Birky) has from everyone."\nShe said the women have postponed their annual spring philanthropy event until the fall and are sticking together to make it through this difficult time.\n"Right now, we're just all being with each other and supporting each other," she said.

Autopsy shows no signs of foul play, infectious disease

The preliminary findings of an autopsy performed on Nichole Birky Thursday morning at Terre Haute Regional Hospital show no indication of foul play or infectious disease, according to a release from the IU Police Department. Monroe County Coroner David Toumey's final report will not be issued until toxicology testing results are completed, which will take up to four to six weeks. \nPolice responded to a call regarding an unresponsive female at 10:33 a.m. Wednesday and found Birky, 21, dead at the Delta Zeta sorority, according to the release. Members of the sorority last spoke with Birky, a junior from Gas City, Ind., at 2 a.m. Wednesday and said she had been feeling ill.