Megan Boken was in Missouri for an alumni volleyball game when she was shot to death Saturday.
Boken, who was 23 years old, was a top volleyball player in both high school and college.
St. Louis University police are looking at robbery as a possible motive. Investigators said there is no known relationship between Boken and the suspect.
Boken was shot an hour and half before her alumni volleyball match was scheduled to begin.
Volleyball continued to be a big part of Boken's life. Saturday afternoon, the 2011 St. Louis University graduate returned to Missouri to play in an alumni game, but she never made it. The Wheaton native was found shot to death in her Volkswagen near an apartment building where she used to live.
"Megan was one of those great women who believed in everything that St. Louis University was about," said university athletic director Chris May. "She served the community and will be missed, that is for sure."
Olympic gold medalist and volleyball player Misty May Treanor is among those mourning Boken's death. On her Facebook page, she posted, "My heart and prayers go out to one of my favorite families ever - the Bokens - I am sorry for your loss - Please know that I am thinking of you during this diffcult time."
Boken played volleyball all four years at St. Louis University. Prior to college, she led Wheaton's St. Francis High School to the 2004 and 2006 state championships. She went to elementary school at Mt. Michael's in Wheaton, where she was known as an excellent student and of course a great athlete.
"A quiet girl but like her siblings had a good sense of humor," said Boken's former gym teacher Bill Cashin. "Just a nice family."
The Boken family issued a statement which reads in part, "Megan was a wonderful and beautiful human being loved by everyone she met. The family and community are devastated by this senseless tragedy and the family would like to thank everyone for their support."
St. Michael's Parish is helping the family deal with Boken's death.
"As I told the family when I spoke with them, our faith isn't one that would prevent this from happening, but it's our faith that helps us get through these difficult times," said Father William Vagenas.
In St. Louis, investigators are looking for the man who shot Boken. Witnesses tell police they saw someone either getting out her car or opening the door to it. Witnesses heard an argument between the two before hearing gunshots. Police do not know if the shooting was random.
"Anything is possible at this point," said St. Louis Police Sgt. Roger Engelhardt. "It's still under investigation."
St. Louis Police are hoping surveillance video in the area where Boken was killed will help find the killer.
After graduating with a bachelor's degree in business administration from St. Louis University last year, Boken worked for a firm in St. Louis before returning to Wheaton.
