Alcohol Suspected of Contributing to MSU Student Death This Morning

Officers with the East Lansing Police Department called to a house in the Bailey neighborhood this morning found four people unconscious, and although emergency responders attempted to revive one person who was “unresponsive and not breathing,” that individual died at the scene, according to a press release from ELPD.

The other three people were taken to Sparrow Hospital.

According to a press release issued this evening, “The preliminary investigation indicates that the deceased is an MSU student, and that alcohol consumption could play a factor in this case.”

As is typical, toxicology results in conjunction with the autopsy will take at least six weeks.

The press release did not say who called medical help to the scene in the 400 block of Stoddard Avenue. ELPD officers responded along with East Lansing Fire Department paramedics.

“Next of kin have been notified,” according to the press release, “and ELPD and ELFD’s thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased during this difficult time.”

The dangers of alcohol have been a renewed topic of discussion among Michigan State University and East Lansing leaders following many alcohol-overdose cases the weekend of Oct. 30-31, when MSU played University of Michigan, and Halloween parties were also in full swing.

John Foren, spokesperson for Sparrow Hospital told ELi that that “we had a surge of [emergency room] cases and a much higher number of alcohol-related cases that entire weekend.”

The MSU community and ELPD have also been dealing with the ongoing missing-persons case of Brendan Santo, an 18-year-old Grand Valley State student who has not been seen since leaving MSU’s Yakeley Hall the Friday of that weekend (Oct. 29) after visiting friends.

This evening’s press release advised that MSU students in need of crisis counseling can contact MSU Crisis & Psychiatric Services (CAPS).

ELi has also has a list of mental health resources available in our community.