Lucas Mattson, a 19-year-old University of Michigan student who disappeared after attending an off-campus fraternity party in January, died of hypothermia, with acute ethanol intoxication listed as a significant contributing condition.
According to a Michigan Medicine postmortem examination report obtained by NTD, Mattson’s cause of death was hypothermia. The report said he “was exposed to prolonged cold environmental conditions while intoxicated” after last being seen leaving a nearby house party at about 1 a.m. on Jan. 23.
“The nearly 20-hour search effort to locate him took place in extreme cold conditions and included officers from AAPD and University of Michigan Division of Public Safety and Security, as well as the University of Michigan Police Department Drone Unit,” the department said. Police also said there were “no obvious signs of trauma” and that foul play was not suspected.
The autopsy report said temperatures were about 15 degrees Fahrenheit when Mattson left the party and fell below zero by mid-morning. He was found outdoors wearing a short-sleeved shirt, pants, shoes and socks. The report further stated there was “no evidence of significant acute or recent physical trauma or features of natural disease identified to account for death.” His death was ruled an accident.
Toxicology testing found a postmortem blood ethanol concentration of 156 mg/dL, or 0.156 percent, while vitreous fluid testing showed 199 mg/dL. The report identified ethanol intoxication as an “other significant condition” contributing to death.
“The University does not typically issue public announcements about student deaths, for many reasons,” the statement read. “However, Lucas’s disappearance and the public concern for his safety make this situation different.”
Grasso also said he had asked university officials “to retrace the events that occurred this weekend” to better understand what happened, and “identify possible steps to help prevent similar tragedies in the future.”