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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Police identify WSU fraternity member who died after ‘fraternity function’

From staff reports

The 19-year-old Washington State University fraternity member who was found dead Tuesday morning has been identified as Samuel Martinez, according to Pullman police.

Martinez was a freshman from Bellevue, police said. He was found dead at the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity.

Pullman police and medical personnel were dispatched to the fraternity at 710 Northeast Linden St. around 8:35 a.m., according to police. Other fraternity members reported that Martinez appeared to be unconscious and not breathing, and they performed CPR until medics arrived.

Medical personnel determined Martinez was deceased, and a preliminary investigation indicated his death may have been alcohol-related, according to police.

The Martinez family released a statement through the Pullman Police Department on Wednesday.

“We want you to know and remember some things about Sam – his amazing athleticism, the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled, his sharp mind, his sense of humor and his steadfast loyalty to his family and friends,” the statement reads. “Sam was a beautiful spark of light, a comet that came and went through our lives too quickly. We are overcome with grief. And we are so grateful for your prayers and well wishes through this unbearable loss.”

After additional investigation Wednesday, police do not believe hazing was a factor in his death, said Detective Sgt. Greg Umbright.

“All indications that we have so far by interviewing people involved indicate that hazing was not a factor,” Umbright said.

The death occurred after what Umbright called a “fraternity function” on Monday night.

The Whitman County Coroner’s Office is working with the Pullman Police Department to determine the official cause and manner of death.

There is nothing to indicate that other substances were a factor in the death but official results will come from the coroner, Umbright said.

WSU’s fraternities and sororities decided Tuesday to suspend all social events for the remainder of the semester, according to a news release from the university.