Hockensmith death likely not drug-related

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The cause of death for MSU student Jessica Hockensmith could not be determined, but likely was not drug-related, according to a recent autopsy report from the Ingham County Medical Examiner’s office.

Hockensmith, 19, was found dead in her Lansing home the morning of Nov. 23. She was a social relations and policy and secondary education junior and a member of the MSU debate team.

Twenty different types of drugs and drug classes tested were not detected in Hockensmith’s body.

Hockensmith tested positive for caffeine and cotinine, a chemical made by the body from nicotine.

Police initially believed the incident could have been drug-related because there was an empty Vicodin pill container near Hockensmith’s bed when she was discovered.

Officials from the Lansing Police Department could neither confirm nor deny if a copy of the autopsy was received Thursday.

Although Anita Hockensmith, Jessica Hockensmith’s mother, said it was hard to accept the final results as inconclusive, she was at least relieved that the cause of death was not drug-related.

“Now I can show people the report and tell people she was totally clean,” Anita Hockensmith said.

Abnormal spots were found on Jessica Hockensmith’s heart, according to the autopsy report.

Anita Hockensmith said the coroner indicated the spots might have contributed to her death, but results of the autopsy could not confirm that.

Casey Harrigan, director of the MSU Debate Team, said he and Jessica Hockensmith’s close friends were relieved by the results.

“I think it is a relief for everyone for what we all believed to be true to be validated,” he said, “She was a great person, and it’s important to remember her the right way — I’m glad that’s finally possible.”

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