On Saturday night, after an off-campus party, freshman Brett Griffin was pronounced dead.
The Newark Police Department first received a 911 call at 2:52 a.m. on Saturday morning, reporting what seemed to be a medical emergency and an unconscious person at 28 Annabelle Street, Lt. Brian Henry of the Newark Police Department said.
When the ambulance arrived at the scene, paramedics found Griffin was in cardiac arrest and was not breathing, Henry said.
Paramedics began taking life-saving measures to the victim both at the scene and while Griffin was being transported to nearby Christiana Hospital, he said. Griffin was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Police did not arrive until later because the incident was initially thought of as a medical emergency, Henry said. When they arrived, it seemed the incident may have stemmed from a party held at the residence.
"When the officers did arrive, they saw a typical party scene," Henry said. "There were still some people there after. There was evidence that alcohol had been consumed - beer and liquor, all that was found at the scene."
At the time the emergency occurred, there were an estimated 40 people at the party, he said.
"They are still in the process of even trying to identify some of the people and speak to them," Henry said.
The residence is occupied by members of the Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity, although the residence is not an official fraternity house, Henry said.
"It's not owned by the fraternity - it is rented by several members of the fraternity," he said. "It is my belief that everyone who lives in the house is a member of the fraternity."
According to a press release, initial police investigation revealed Griffin, 18, of Kendall Park, N.J., to be a pledge of the university's Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity. He was attending a fraternity function at the residence occupied by the fraternity.
An overdose of alcohol is being investigated at this time as a preliminary cause of death, according to the press release. An autopsy performed Sunday evening showed no trauma on the body.
However, the cause of death is pending the results of toxicity tests.
"The toxicity reports usually take a couple of weeks," Henry said. "We are hopeful that they can put some kind of rush on them and we can get them back sooner than that, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's a week or two before we see them."
At this time, the police investigation will continue.
"There were witnesses who were interviewed both at the scene and at the station, which is a normal occurrence," Henry said. "The investigation will look at the cause of death, what people were doing at the scene as far as the alcohol, who was underage, did someone provide that alcohol to them, when his condition was determined was 911 summoned in a timely manner - all those kinds of things will be investigated."
On Monday, university President Patrick Harker sent an e-mail out to the entire student body regarding the tragedy.
"The loss of a promising young person is particularly sad," Harker stated in the e-mail. "Our deepest sympathies go out to Brett's family and friends."
He suggested those students affected or who are having difficulty in light of the incident visit the Center for Counseling and Student Development at the university.
Harker also went on to assure students that the university's administration is complying with the Newark Police Department to solve the case.
"The University is cooperating fully with the City of Newark Police Department in its investigation into Brett's death, and I would encourage anyone with information to cooperate with the police," the e-mail said.
Harker also confirmed the role of alcohol in the night's events.
"While specific information is not yet available, we do know that alcohol played a role in the events of that night, and I want to emphasize that the abuse of alcohol is an issue we take very seriously here," he said.
He said the university participates in the Internet-based alcohol education program AlcoholEdu for College, which all incoming students are required to complete.
"Our goal is to educate our students so they can make good and informed decisions about alcohol," Harker said in the e-mail.
He concluded by offering his sympathy to the Griffin family and the university as a whole.
"Today, our top concern is for the family of Brett and for our students," he said. "On behalf of the University community, I extend our condolences in this difficult time."
Iin an effort to both unify and comfort the freshman community on Laird campus, where Griffin lived, the Independence North Complex staff scheduled a community meeting with the enter for Counseling and Student Development staff Sunday afternoon at 9 p.m. in Thomas McKean Hall.
"About 200 students, mostly from Thomas McKean Hall, showed up in the main lounge of the building," Kennon Mann, residence life complex coordinator for Griffin's dorm, stated in an email message. "The meeting included recognition of public knowledge about the student's death, time dedicated to reflections and memories, and facilitation of a grief and mourning discussion with Counseling Center director Charles Beale and counselor John Brunelle."
Students were also provided with contact information for the CCSD and other support services on-campus, Mann said.
Most of the students who spoke went beyond focusing on the circumstances surrounding his death and simply noted positive things about Brett's life, he said.
"I did not have a close relationship with Brett; however, I have learned that Brett was well-known and well-liked within and beyond the Thomas McKean Hall community," Mann said. "Residence Life staff members and students living in the halls are coping with his unfortunate death as best we can. Since Saturday, close friends, associates, hallmates, classmates and others who simply want to express genuine concern have leaned on each other and supported each other in a very genuine and honorable way."
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