The death of an 18-year-old Colorado State University student today appears to be drug-related, the Larimer County Coroner’s Office said this afternoon.
Sean William McGowan a freshman English major from Spring, Texas, died at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins after he was found unresponsive inside Summit Hall, an on-campus student residence.
Though the coroner’s office identified drugs as an apparent cause, the exact cause of death is pending the outcome of toxicology tests that can take up to six weeks.
No diseases or illnesses were cited.
No information has been released by the coroner’s office or the university regarding circumstances that led to an ambulance being called, or why drugs have been cited before tests can confirm the cause of death.
The university cited student privacy laws and referred questions to the coroner’s office.
The university released a statement: “Colorado State University extends its condolences to Sean’s family and friends during this difficult time.”
The death marks the latest in a sad series of death or serious injury involving Colorado State students.
In September, 19-year-old sophomore Sascha Franzell, a biology major from Honolulu, died in an off-campus apartment from an acute asthmatic attack.
About a week earlier, 17-year-old music major Anna Beninati, a freshman from Sandy, Utah, had her legs severed as she tried to hop a train passing through Longmont.
In February 2010, 22-year-old CSU student Devon Arnold was found dead on railroad tracks near Keenesburg.
Joey Bunch: 303-954-1174 or jbunch@denverpost.com
