UCI Student Cause Of Death Released

LA CRESCENTA, CA —A University of California Irvine student who perished at an off-campus party earlier this year died of acute ethanol intoxication, the Orange County Coroner has said.

On January 12, 18-year-old Noah Domingo of La Crescenta was found dead at a Sycamore Creek home. According to his family, Domingo went to a college party with friends but never came home.

Domingo died at approximately 3:30 a.m. and his blood alcohol level registered over .33, an OCSD spokesperson said.

"Toxicology tests did not detect any additional substances in his system at the time of his death," OCSD information officer Carrie Braun said.

The Irvine Police Department is actively investigating this case.

"After our investigation, we will present our findings to the District Attorney’s Office, which will determine whether charges are warranted,” said Irvine Police Department Lieutenant Mark Anderson.

Edgar J. Dormitorio, the interim vice chancellor of student affairs, said in January that the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity has been placed on interim suspension.

The national council of Sigma Alpha Epsilon voted to spend the charter of the UCI chapter, and then on Feb. 21 closed it and disbanded the undergraduate group of members, according to UCI spokesman Tom Vasich.

"Noah's dream was going into sports medicine," his family said over over GoFundMe.

The OCSD and the Irvine Police Department extended their deepest sympathies to the Domingo family in the loss of their son. With similar sympathies, the university released the following statement:

"We remain shocked and saddened by Noah's tragic death, and we offer our deepest sympathies to the Domingo family for their loss. His death brings an urgent focus on alcohol and substance abuse, from the cultural pressures that encourage unhealthy behavior to the policies designed to mitigate danger.

"Chancellor Howard Gillman has directed our Division of Student Affairs to assemble a team of students, faculty, staff and external experts to offer recommendations for how we might improve our culture and policies to help ensure a healthier environment in the future. In addition, the Sigma Alpha Epsilon national organization closed the UCI chapter indefinitely. In memory of Noah, let us work toward a future in which we all benefit from an enhanced culture of self-care, mutual care, bystander intervention and whole-person wellness."