A freshman at Westminster Choir College of Rider University was pronounced dead on arrival at the University Medical Center at Princeton (UMCP) yesterday, reportedly under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
Casey DeBlasio, spokeswoman for the Mercer County prosecutor's office, confirmed that 18-year-old Justin Warfield, a music theory and composition major, had used heroin Tuesday night. In a previous statement, the office indicated that "it appears that the victim ... was under the influence of drugs and alcohol." The results of the autopsy have yet to be released.
A Princeton First Aid and Rescue Squad (PFARS) ambulance responded at about 5 a.m. yesterday to a call at the off-campus apartment complex on Witherspoon Street — half a mile from Nassau Hall — according to a statement released by Rider. Warfield had been brought to the apartment by friends at 11:30 p.m. Tuesday. His friends noticed that Warfield was not breathing Wednesday morning, commenced CPR and called 911.
Borough Police were first on the scene and administered CPR until PFARS arrived. Warfield had died by the time he arrived at UMCP at 6 a.m.
DeBlasio said that her office "could have information as soon as tomorrow" about the causes of Warfield's death. As of last night, she could not confirm whether there were other drugs or alcohol in his system, or if the heroin was the sole cause of his death.
Heroin usage is dangerous on its own, but according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, "the strength of heroin varies and its impact is more unpredictable when used with alcohol or other drugs."
Westminster, a residential music college with 440 students located in Princeton Borough, is a subsidiary campus of Rider University, which has its main campus in nearby Lawrenceville.
If Warfield was under the influence of alcohol, it would be the second alcohol-related death of a Rider freshman this year.
In March, Rider freshman Gary DeVercelly died after binge drinking at a fraternity event for pledges. DeVercelly was found passed out at the Phi Kappa Tau house in cardiac arrest and brought to the hospital. He died 30 hours later.
The event resulted in charges being brought against Rider Dean of Students Anthony Campbell; the school's director of Greek life, Ada Badgley; and three students. The charges against the administrators have since been dropped, and the all students pled not guilty.
Rider revised its alcohol policy this semester, strictly enforcing a ban on underage drinking on campus, prohibiting any public displays promoting alcohol and including a "Good Samaritan" clause that protects underage students who come to the aid of intoxicated students.
Princeton administrators paid close attention to the conditions and aftermath of DeVercelly's death and, according to University spokeswoman Cass Cliatt '96, "Princeton is paying attention" to what happened down Witherspoon Street.
"We review just about any kind of serious incident [with] a very strong review of campus policy," Deputy Director of Public Safety Charles Davall said.
But he added that "it's difficult to monitor off-campus activities of students."
It is unclear how the Borough will respond to the death, though Borough Councilman Andrew Koontz said that "if it is shown that the student died as a result of overconsumption of alcohol, I would anticipate that we as a municipality, as a community, have to take a good hard look at our policies regarding underage drinking and our efforts to raise awareness [and] our efforts to enforce ... I cannot imagine that this event won't cause us to strongly reevaluate our approach to all of these issues."
Koontz emphasized that it is difficult to predict reactions because of the uncertainty surrounding the cause of Warfield's death.
Westminster, meanwhile, mourns the passing of a student who was on campus for less than two months. A memorial service will be planned at a later date, but Rider has made counseling and campus ministry staff available for all students, faculty and staff on both of its campuses.
Westminster sophomore Matthew Samson said in an interview that Warfield "was always lively," he was the crazy man on campus. He would always be running around doing something crazy."
Samson, who is also a music theory and composition major, said that "amidst all the boisterousness and loudness to him, there was a genuine spirit."
Lindsay Van Osten, a Westminster junior who also knew Warfield, said "he was an absolutely amazing kid ... he was literally there for anyone."
She added, "He's a brilliant musician."
— Princetonian senior writer Jonathan Zebrowski contributed reporting to this article.
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