Samohi Teen Dies Falling From Balcony While High On LSD, Family Says

SANTA MONICA, CA -- A 15-year-old Santa Monica High School student whose family says had taken LSD suffered fatal injuries when he jumped or fell from a third-floor balcony, it was announced Monday.

Andre Zuczek was taken to a hospital, where he was placed on ventilator, according to the Los Angeles County coroner's office.

In a letter to parents, the school's principal announced that the teen died after suffering major brain trauma.

The letter included a statement from the boy's family that explained Andre and some friends had experimented with the hallucinogen and had a "bad trip."

Officers were called just after 3 p.m. Saturday to the Belmar Apartments at 1725 Ocean Ave. to investigate a call of teenagers "who had possibly overdosed on a hallucinogenic drug, acting erratically and breaking items," Santa Monica police Lt. Saul Rodriguez said.

"Upon arrival, officers observed one subject standing on the balcony of a third-floor unit," Rodriguez said. "While approaching the complex, one of the juvenile subjects fell from the balcony. Officers discovered the subject laying on the ground and unresponsive. Santa Monica Fire Department paramedics responded and treated the juvenile subject at the scene and transported him to a local hospital. Unfortunately, the juvenile succumbed to his injuries."

Rodriguez said a second juvenile located in the common area of the complex was treated at the scene and taken to a hospital for treatment of superficial injuries and narcotics ingestion.

The boy's family said they wanted to explain what happened so other parents could be spared such a tragedy.

Rodriguez said it seemed obvious, from the boy's behavior and statements from witnesses who were present, that Andre had taken some kind of hallucinogen.

"We are looking into what narcotics were taken and what led to that," Rodriguez said.

Grief counselors were made available to students at the school, which has experienced two other student deaths since October.

-- City News Service, photo courtesy of the family