University officials are encouraging healthier drinking habits after the death of 19-year-old chemical engineering sophomore Corey James Domingue, who died Friday after apparently drinking too much alcohol.
Chancellor Mark Emmert released a statement Tuesday afternoon regarding Domingue’s death.
“I know I speak for the entire LSU family when I say how very saddened we all are to learn of the tragic death of one of our students,” Emmert said in the statement.
“It once again reminds us all that we must be vigilant in our efforts to reduce excessive drinking. We must take care of each other by intervening with friends who drink too much or too frequently and we must work even harder to drive these messages home.”
Baton Rouge Police said Domingue’s friends called 911 around 4:30 a.m. Friday after finding Domingue in his bathroom having trouble breathing. Emergency Medical Services transported Domingue to Our Lady of the Lake Hospital, where he died shortly after arriving.
BRPD Cpl. Don Kelly said Domingue’s friends reported Domingue began drinking rum after his friends arrived to study. Kelly said Domingue apparently consumed a fifth of rum within a few hours.
Kelly said Tuesday authorities believe Domingue probably bought the alcohol himself. A fake Texas ID in Domingue’s name was found in his apartment, Kelly said.
Kelly said though the investigation is ongoing, he did not anticipate any criminal charges in connection with Domingue’s death.
Emmert called on the Campus-Community Coalition for Change and the Wellness Education department to increase their efforts to address the problems of excessive drinking.
“We ask everyone to become a partner in fostering a healthier and safer community by reducing excessive and underage drinking,” Emmert said.
Nancy Mathews, CCCC executive director, said the organization plans to increase its advertisements in The Reveille, inform students of data from the College Alcohol Study, encourage students to intervene with friends who may be drinking excessively and remind students to focus on their academic success.
“With our community partners, we will continue to address excessive drinking associated with off-campus parties, hospitality venues, advertising and promotions and public events,” Mathews said Tuesday in an email.
Emmert also expressed his sympathy to Domingue’s family.
“To Corey’s family, I extend our most sincere condolences on this tragedy and hope they know that we are holding them close in our thoughts and prayers,” he said.
Don Moreau, chief of operations for the East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner’s Office, said final lab reports have not yet come back in the case, but he expected the cause of death to be acute alcohol poisoning.
Moreau said Domingue had a blood alcohol content of .43. The legal limit is .08.
Moreau said no other drugs were found in Domingue’s bloodstream.