Mother seeks answers in mysterious death of daughter who was found lying on a Southfield road

23-year-old fell or was pushed out of car

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – Police are investigating the mysterious death of a college student who was home in Metro Detroit for the summer.

Mia Kanu, 23, was found lying in the middle of Providence Drive in Southfield in the early hours of Saturday, June 3. The family said Kanu had previously been at a party with friends.

Police have not ruled out homicide.

Kanu was reportedly riding in a vehicle before she was left on the road. How she exited the vehicle was still unclear to police.

“[Police] apparently have surveillance video of her either falling out of a vehicle or being pushed out of a vehicle and being left there,” said Bianca Vanmeter, Kanu’s mother.

Vanmeter wants answers. She said the car belonged to Kanu’s new friend. Police said the driver was cooperating with the investigation.

Kanu was passionate about animals and was studying to be a veterinarian at Tennessee State University, according to her family.

Mia Kanu was passionate about animals and studied to be a veterinarian at Tennessee State University (WDIV)

When Vanmeter arrived at the hospital, her daughter was on life support with a serious injury to the back of her head.

“She was beautiful laying there, no bruises, no anything,” Vanmeter said. “Just perfect.”

Kanu succumbed to her injuries. She donated her liver to a baby as an organ donor, and her kidneys were gifted to another individual.

“We really wanted her heart to go to somebody, because she had such a big heart, but she had a very rare blood type, so we couldn’t find anybody for that,” Vanmeter said.

When it came to finding out what occurred, Vanmeter trusted the police investigation would get them answers.

“I want to know what happened, because the timeline [and] everything that I think I know or don’t know is just not making sense,” Vanmeter said.

A GoFundMe has been set up in memory of Kanu. The money raised will help cover memorial and funeral expenses.

Mia Kanu, 23, was found lying in the middle of Providence Drive in the early hours of Saturday (June 3). (WDIV)

About the Authors

Jacqueline Francis is an award-winning journalist who joined the WDIV team in September 2022. Prior to Local 4, she reported for the NBC affiliate in West Michigan. When she’s not on the job, Jacqueline enjoys taking advantage of all the wonders Michigan has to offer, from ski trips up north to beach days with her dog, Ace.

Brandon Carr is a digital content producer for ClickOnDetroit and has been with WDIV Local 4 since November 2021. Brandon is the 2015 Solomon Kinloch Humanitarian award recipient for Community Service.

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