County coroner rules on WSU death

Whitman County Coroner Annie Pillers Dec. 24 reported the death of Samuel Martinez, 19, WSU student, was caused by acute alcohol poisoning. Martinez was determined to be dead after Pullman medics responded to a call Nov. 12 at the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity on Linden Street in Pullman. He was a WSU freshman from Bellevue.

Pullman police initially ruled out hazing as a possible factor in the student's death, but later noted it could have been a factor after conducting interviews with members of the fraternity.

The first report by Pillers in November said she determined Martinez had died about 4:30 a.m., four hours before police and a medical crew were called to the fraternity. Members of the fraternity had conducted CPR on Martinez until the medics arrived.

Pillers ruled the death was accidental.

Alpha Tau Omega fraternity has been placed on interim loss of recognition after the student's death. That means the fraternity cannot identify itself as a WSU affiliated chapter.

WSU Student Affairs is also conducting an investigation into the student's death.

Martinez graduated last year from Newport High School at Bellevue where he played on the school's soccer team.