BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The family of Carly Grozier — who died from injuries sustained in a 2023 gas explosion in off-campus housing at the West Virginia University — said the recent criminal trial connected to her death has only strengthened their resolve to prevent similar tragedies.
It's also fueled new momentum for Carly’s Cause, the nonprofit they created in her memory.
Ken Grozier said the week in court was long and grueling, and the verdict “didn’t go the way we wanted it to,” as a handyman facing a charge of involuntary manslaughter in his sister’s death was ultimately found not guilty.
But even a different outcome, her brother said, “doesn’t bring Carly back and it doesn’t change the mission.”
The family left the courtroom, he said, with “a new wave of motivation” to protect students who find themselves in unsafe living situations at colleges and universities across the country.
He said having Carly’s friends and extended family show up every day of the trial carried deep meaning, reinforcing that “there’s a community out there who loves and remembers her for who she was.”
The 20-year-old Bethlehem native and Freedom High School graduate died Jan. 17, 2023.
The experience — and the fact that three other young women also were living in the house, one of whom sustained burns — has intensified the family’s drive to expand outreach and education efforts, her brother said.
Expanding campus outreach
That renewed determination comes at a key time for Carly’s Cause, which has spent the past several months building plans to meet with colleges and universities, forging new partnerships focused on off-campus housing safety.
Connor, Carly’s sister, has taken on expanded responsibilities in the organization, allowing Ken to be more hands-off as they prepare for a busy period of campus outreach.
Soon, the nonprofit will mark an important milestone: its first face-to-face conversations with students, planned to take place at Penn State's Brandywine campus in Delaware County. It’s a starting point as administrators at several schools have expressed interest in working with Carly’s Cause, Ken said.
The event, rescheduled from an earlier date, will allow for distribution of safety materials and the ability to speak directly with students navigating off-campus rentals.
‘They want to take care of their students’
Although colleges and universities do not oversee off-campus housing, officials consistently acknowledge that they want to help students stay safe and informed.
“It seems like we’ve met with the right people … who understand the dangers that come with off-campus housing,” Ken said.
“They all seem to understand it’s their students, and they want to take care of their students in any way they can. Everyone we talked to has been really excited to work with us.”
Ken said schools view Carly’s Cause as a relatively inexpensive and impactful resource for students and have been eager to explore collaborations that help students better understand tenants’ rights, common hazards and how to protect themselves in rental properties.
One of the most promising ideas came from Penn State Brandywine, which suggested integrating Carly’s Cause directly into the school’s off-campus housing website.
Under early discussions, a student searching for rentals on the university portal would immediately see a link to information and resources from the organization. Ken said the group hopes to raise this possibility with every school they meet with.
“It’s a low-cost, effective way to direct students to a growing amount of resources,” Ken said. “Particularly tenants' rights organizations. Their feedback will allow us to tailor our messages to the concerns of the students.”
Carly’s Cause also is in contact with Widener University, though they haven’t yet identified a time to visit that would be most useful for students, especially since many already know their housing plans for the next academic year.
Looking ahead, Ken said they hope to hear directly from students about what they need to feel supported when navigating off-campus rentals — and to determine whether those needs are best addressed by universities, outside advocates or both.
Nonprofit approval and upcoming fundraising
Carly’s Cause recently received its IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit designation, which the family plans to highlight as they move forward. Donations are now tax-deductible, and they say the approval provides added legitimacy as they expand their work.
The group expects to add new photos and updates to its website soon and is in early discussions about organizing a raffle or other fundraiser. They are seeking local businesses willing to donate goods or services.
“It’s been very heartwarming to have people willing listen to our story and ask, ‘What can we do to help?’” Ken said.
