Cause remains undetermined in death of MSU student
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Ausman
The Ingham County Medical Examiner continues to investigate the cause of an MSU student’s death after an autopsy performed Thursday yielded inconclusive results.
Don Ausman, a 22-year-old interdisciplinary studies in social science and international studies senior, was found dead in his Spartan Village apartment Wednesday morning shortly after 9:15 a.m., police said.
Ingham County Chief Medical Examiner Dean Sienko said no new information will be available until an autopsy can positively determine the cause of death.
“We just need to do some more tests before we can release that information publicly,” Sienko said.
MSU police Sgt. Florene McGlothian-Taylor said the department cannot release any more information regarding the investigation that took place in Ausman’s apartment. She said the department only can classify the death as “suspicious” until the medical examiner’s office completes its investigation.
Ausman’s friends said he was a fun-loving guy who loved meeting new people and making his friends smile.
“He loved to laugh and have fun and just really loved disco,” said Ali Doyle, a friend of Ausman’s. “He wanted to know everyone and make people laugh.”
The secondary education junior met Ausman on an Alternative Spring Break trip last year. She said the reality of his passing hadn’t yet registered in her mind.
“I’m still in shock; I can’t believe it,” Doyle said. “Every time I think of it, it just comes back and it’s so awful that such a great person isn’t with us anymore.”
Doug Merian, a packaging sophomore, met Ausman in October. Merian said Ausman was a light-hearted person who always tried to make his friends laugh.
“Every time he came over, he made us feel like his best friends,” Merian said. “He just made everyone feel so comfortable — you’d just connect with him.”
A story of how Merian met Ausman summed up Ausman’s goofy nature, Merian said.
It was Halloween weekend, and Merian sewed a part of Ausman’s astronaut costume. After finishing the repair, Merian told Ausman he and his roommates were going to a party on Abbot Road that night — but he didn’t plan on seeing Ausman there.
“Later on that night, he just opened up the front door with this awesome costume,” Merian said. “It was like a movie, with smoke coming in, and he just stepped in and started dancing and everyone was yelling.
“We didn’t even tell him what house we were going to be at. It’s something I’m never going to forget.”
Police did not specify when they expected laboratory tests, including toxicology reports, to be completed.
Phone messages left Thursday with Ausman’s father were not returned to The State News.
Commentary
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Alicia
(01/30/09 2:29pm)Report
We will be painting the rock and having a vigil for Don Tuesday, February 3 at 9:00 pm at the rock.
All are welcome to come and remember our friend Don.
Link to Facebook Event:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=2335562&ref=profile#/event.php?eid=58414396943&ref=nf
Suspicious of suspicious
(01/30/09 4:19pm)Report
I can’t believe the police aren’t giving any additional information about this. Healthy people don’t just die of “suspicious causes”…this vague cause of death is really disturbing.
Agree Suspicious...
(01/30/09 5:23pm)Report
Id have to agree…at this point that have to have some sort of idea of what happened. They really aren’t giving us any indication as to what happened. I assume they know something and just don’t want to tell us yet.
Agreed
(01/30/09 9:42pm)Report
Agreed to the above statements. Ridiculous
gina
(01/30/09 11:23pm)Report
this is my nephew someone who stuck to his beliefs had his own personality, was great to be around always smiling and just a sweet heart. I dont get it it’s just not right. don I will miss you sooo very much. you will always be in my heart. love ya sooo much your aunt gina
Chelsea
(01/31/09 12:07am)Report
I am so proud to have known Don. He is someone whom I look up to, eventhough was my age. He will be very missed. I hope he knows how loved and cared for he is. I’m sure anyone whom ever met Don is heartbroken. I have so many happy memories of Disco Don! I’m so sad that I will never hear his laugh again.
Victoria
(01/31/09 2:40am)Report
I’ve known Don since our freshman year… I still cant believe he’s gone, and it kills me not knowing what happened. After speaking to my roommate who is currently a police officer, he informed me the classification of “suspicious” only means that no immediate obvious cause is known due to lack of evidence.
Don was an amazing person who will NEVER be forgotten, may peace be with him…
Sparty
(01/31/09 4:56pm)Report
God Bless you Don. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Christine
(02/01/09 12:46am)Report
Don was my 2nd cousin—hey Gina (my cousin). I live a bit farther (in Maryland) and my two brothers, family and I are deeply saddened and in shock for this horiffic loss! His wonderful personality and demeaner will definately be missed by all. We have great memories of his vivacious personality and love of life.. just like his mother, our cousin. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his (and our) family and hope that the investigators find information out soon and can put a rest to the suspicious causes questions. May he rest in peace and we hope that Disco Don is dance in peace and joy with his great grandmother Emma for all eternity…
Dan Gregg
(02/01/09 9:22am)Report
Young Don was my neighbor about 14 years ago in Ann Arbor, He was always respectful and never without a smile on his face. I last saw him 2 years ago when he knocked on my door just to say hello while crusing the old neighborhood. We later traded email messges when I asked about his humanitarian work in Africa. It soon became clear that Don would do great things in his life. He had grown into a thoughful, caring young man with a big heart. His comments in the Statenews.com Opinion page of March 28, 2007 reveal an awareness and a sensitivity few people possess. May he inspire us all.
Matt Turco
(02/01/09 10:43am)Report
Don was my 2nd cousin as well, he was a great person with a unique soul which brightened up the room when he walked in. Not only could he make you laugh, but he made you feel as if you were his brother. Such a shame that someone so young, and so good hearted, had to be taken from us so young. The family won’t be the same without him, and we all miss him already. Love you Don!
Jamel Esse
(02/01/09 11:06am)Report
Don was my 1st cousin and my brother. I will always remeber the good times we had and everything he brought to this family. Everytime I seen Don he always had a big smile on his face and he was always the star of the room that brought joy to any occasion that we had. Don was one of a kind and I will never forget him. Love you Don!
Agree to No Rumors Suspicious One
(02/02/09 4:08pm)Report
At this point, Don’s deserves to have the correct information shared regarding his death. Would you rather have a bunch of unconfirmed speculation out there or wait until the labs and police can share the information properly.
Aunt Toni
(02/04/09 1:30pm)Report
We are truely humbled by the love ,support and prayers that we have received.I thought that I knew Don,I only knew my nephew Don. I didn’t know Disco Don,Don Juan or Dancing Don. After hearing the stories and reading the comments,Now I know more,alot more.And I am more proud of him than ever.I have always thought of him as a little angel,with his blonde hair,big blue eyes,and so sweet disposition.Never a mean word or an angry look from him,I will miss him always,but,now I know that he is an Angel.So, in closing I would like to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who came to say goodbye,who sent a message of love and rememberance or just said a prayer,Thank you and may God Bless you all.