Kyleigh Sousa Update: Mother Pleads for Help in ASU Student's Death

TEMPE, Ariz. (CBS/KPHO) The family of Kyleigh Sousa, the 21-year-old Arizona State University student who died after being dragged by a car during an apparent purse snatching, has joined police in pleading for information in the case.

PICTURES: Kyleigh Sousa: A Life Cut Short

According to police, Sousa and a man were walking to an International House of Pancakes at about 2 a.m. Wednesday, May 26, when they were approached by a heavy-set man driving a silver Chrysler 300 or Dodge Charger in the 200 block of East Apache Boulevard in Tempe, Ariz.

Tempe police Sgt. Steve Carbajal said Sousa spoke with the man, who then grabbed her purse and drove off.

Carbajal said Sousa became entangled in the purse's strap and was dragged by the car for several feet before her head hit the pavement.

"When I received the call from the doctors at the hospital, it's every mother's nightmare telephone call," Sousa's mother, Karen Montenegro, said.

Police said they have several witnesses to the early-morning attack, but they only have a vague description of the driver. According to CBS affiliate KPHO, police believe he wasn't the only person in the car.

"Whoever did this, if you hear me, please just turn yourself in and do right by me and my family, and I will somehow, in my heart, try to forgive you," she added.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Tempe Police Department at 480-350-8311 or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.

Story Contributed by CBS Affiliate KPHO