The University of Minnesota student who was found dead in his fraternity house in September had alcohol in his system and died from accidental asphyxiation, according to the medical examiner's office.
Dylan Fulton of Miller, S.D., was found by a roommate on Sept. 12 about 4:54 a.m. in the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity house near the St. Paul campus. He was last seen alive between 1 and 1:30 that morning.
Ramsey County Medical Examiner Lori Hedican said Friday that Fulton, a 20-year-old sophomore, died of "probable asphyxia" and "possible positional asphyxia with aspiration." Other "significant causes" included alcohol intoxication, she said.
His death was ruled an accident.
Autopsy results showed that stomach contents were found in Fulton's airway and that he had breathed some into his lungs, Hedican said.
Fulton was listed as an animal science major with an emphasis in beef production. He also was a member of the university's Gopher Dairy Club, which promotes the dairy industry.
Fraternity members who were home at the time reported Fulton's death to authorities and cooperated with the investigation. St. Paul police said there were no signs of foul play, hazing or initiation practices.
At the monthly meeting of the U's governing board Friday, President Eric Kaler told regents that the university's Interfraternity Council had agreed at his urging to ban hard liquor at Twin Cities parties and other events, unless the alcohol is provided by a third-party vendor.
