The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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July 3, 2008

Report: Alcohol to blame in boy's death

Medical exam confirms initial reports in Andrew Anderson case

By Dan Nienaber

MANKATO — A medical examination report confirms a 16-year-old LeHillier boy found dead in Land of Memories Park May 30 died from alcohol poisoning.

Andrew Isaac Anderson had a blood-alcohol concentration of over .38, nearly five times the legal limit of .08 for driving, said the report issued by Dr. Joseph Foss, a pathologist with Immanuel St. Joseph’s Mayo Health.

A preliminary alcohol test showed Anderson had a blood-alcohol concentration of over .35, but investigators said they expected that number to change after toxicology reports were completed.

Foss said in the report filed Monday that Anderson died from “acute ethanol toxicity” as a result of “excess ingestion of alcohol. ” The time of death was listed as 11:41 p.m. May 30, which is the same time police received their initial report.

Mankato police officers found Anderson on top of a large hill in the park after it was reported someone was unconscious and not breathing. After climbing through mud, brush and trees to get to the top of the hill, the officers attempted to revive Anderson by doing CPR until fire and ambulance crews arrived. Anderson, who had been consuming alcohol with at least four other underage people, could not be revived.

Witnesses told police Anderson passed out after drinking a large amount of vodka.

Two of the underage people with Anderson the night of his death were his older brothers, 19-year-old Christopher and 18-year-old Benjamin, both of LeHillier. The other two were 18-year-old Andrew Miller of Mankato and a 16-year-old from Mankato who was not identified. Investigators also said they suspect others were with the group and left before police arrived.

The group obtained the vodka and took it with them to the park to drink.

Little has been said about the investigation since the weekend Anderson’s body was found. Detective Cmdr. Matt DuRose said early on there had been some leads about how the alcohol had been obtained, but he wouldn’t go into detail.

Investigators were waiting for toxicology reports before deciding whether to request criminal charges. DuRose said he received the medical reports Wednesday morning.

He had hoped to get the information sooner, but it was being delayed by other cases being handled by the Ramsey County medical examiner’s office. Anderson’s body had been sent to Ramsey County for an autopsy.

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