Coroner releases WSU student’s official cause of death
Samuel Martinez’s death determined to be accidental by Whitman County Coroner
OLIVER MCKENNA | THE DAILY EVERGREEN
“This is a crime of intimidation … this is the crime of scaring people when they’re at their most vulnerable,” said Dan LeBeau, Whitman County chief deputy prosecutor.
December 23, 2019
The Whitman County Coroner completed the investigation on Dec. 23 into the cause of death of a WSU student who died in November.
According to a press release issued today by Whitman County Coroner Annie Pillers, Samuel Martinez’s official cause of death was acute alcohol intoxication.
Martinez, a 19-year-old WSU freshman and Alpha Tau Omega (ATO) fraternity member, died on Nov. 12 at the ATO house.
Martinez’s death was accidental, according to the press release.
According to a previous article, first responders arrived around 8:35 a.m. on Nov. 12 at the ATO house. Martinez’s official time of death was 4:30 a.m. on Nov. 12.
The Whitman County Coroner and the Pullman Police Department have been contacted for comment.
