The death of Katherine Ann Roehm, 18, on Jan. 1 has been ruled an apparent suicide by law enforcement investigators, reports show.

The young Fayetteville resident, a 1998 graduate of Fayette County High School, was found by county marshals on Antioch Road at Lake Horton, according to reports. Fayette County Sheriff's Department investigators were called by the marshals when the body was discovered hanging from a tree.

Roehm was described by friends as a very popular and complex person who was enormously talented in music and singing. She was enrolled at Converse College in Spartanburg, S.C.

A memorial service was held yesterday at Inman Methodist Church with Dr. David Campbell officiating.

She is survived by her parents, Ed and Judy Roehm of Fayetteville; a sister, Pamela Roehm, Baltimore, Md.; sister, Laura Hovatter, Fayetteville; brother, Matt Roehm, Raleigh, N.C.; grandparents, Millard and Lorraine Dusenbury, Jekyll Island; and aunts and uncles.

The family has requested donations to Inman United Methodist Church in Roehm's name in lieu of flowers.