MEMORIAL FUND: Friends of Drake student who died want to send his body home

Please click here to support the family,It will cost $11,000 to send his body back to Africa

Friends of a Drake student killed September 11 want to send his body home. Cliffton Murove died last weekend after falling three stories from a balcony. Murove is from Africa, and it will cost thousands to send him home.

It's difficult for Cliffton Murove's friends to put into words how much he means to them. Murove's list of accomplishments at drake is endless, but it's his caring spirit they'll remember most.

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"He connected with people on a level that doesn't usually happen with friends. He's an exceptional and personable fun loving enthusiastic man," says friend Taylor Thiewes.

Early Saturday morning, Cliffton fell three stories off a balcony at Ingersol Towers apartments. Friends say he was drinking at several bars the night before. They put him to bed on a couch at a friends house. Hours later, the apartment's landlord found his body lying in the courtyard.

"Cliff made impact on our lives and we want to honor him. This is a last honor he deserves," says friend Marshall Ndhlovu.

Des Moines police say the fall was an accident, a loss that is still surreal to his friends. Murove is from Zimbabwe and hasn't seen him family in years. Now his friends want to help his family find closure by sending his body 9,000 miles back to Africa.

"No parent wants to bury child but it's extremely pertinent and necessary that his mom receives her son back," says Thiewes.

It's not cheap; $11,000 dollars is a lot of money to raise. However, his friends say it's the least they can do for their friend Cliffton, who inspired laughter and touched all of their lives.

"He was a great guy we'll miss him. Hopefully we can send him home."

If you'd like to donate, Cliffton's friends have set up a memorial fund. They've made it easy for you to donate by creating a website. Just go to our website and click on as seen on tab to find the information.