COVINGTON, La. (WGNO) — Loved ones gathered to remember the life of LSU student and Covington native Madison Brooks who died last month.

Brooks, 19, was allegedly raped after she’d been drinking at a Tigerland bar, and was later struck and killed by a car.

At the funeral, her friends and family were mourning her unexpected and shocking death. One of the qualities her loved ones kept mentioning was her vibrant personality and infectious laugh.

“She was always there for everyone,” Hailly Waterhouse said.

Waterhouse attended the funeral of her friend, saying Brooks was someone people could always go to when needed.

The line was out the door at St. Peter Catholic Church where family and friends were showing how much they loved her.

“She knows everyone being here will be so beautiful for her,” Waterhouse said.

Waterhouse went to St. Scholastica Academy with Brooks, who graduated in 2021. She was an honor roll student, cheerleader and actively involved.

“She was just a beautiful bundle of joy, really, her laugh was so contagious,” she said.

At LSU, Brooks was a member of the Alpha Phi Sorority and many of her sisters wore pink because that was her favorite color. Her friends say it is hard without her here.

“Honestly, it breaks my heart. I know she’s watching over us now. I feel at peace knowing that,” Waterhouse said.

Brooks was a sophomore at LSU majoring in mass communication. She’s now buried at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Covington.