Update: 2 Deaths Under Investigation at New College

The Sarasota Police Department is assisting with an investigation into two deaths reported at New College over the weekend.

A 21-year-old man, a registered guest of the school, died around 3:30 a.m. Friday. An 18-year-old student died on Sunday around 3:30 p.m., the police department wrote in an email to media.

While toxicology reports are still pending with the Sarasota Medical Examiner’s Office, the police department says both deaths appear to be drug-related. Those final reports, however, could take several weeks to arrive.

“As a warning to students, residents and visitors, Officers with the Sarasota Police Department have received intelligence that suggests there is an increase of the pharmaceutical drug, Fentanyl, being mixed with street drugs in the Sarasota area,” the email stated. “This mixture could have deadly consequences.”

It is unclear at this time if Fentanyl was involved in the student deaths, the police department noted. A final determination will not come until the toxicology reports are complete.

The 21-year-old has been identified as Dylan Besser, a University of Central Florida student from Boca Raton. The 18-year-old is Julian Toomsen-Hall of Georgia. He was a first-year student.

Both were found on campus, but authorities do not believe the two deaths are connected, New College spokesman David Gulliver said.

“We are deeply distressed by the recent tragedies on campus, and our thoughts and condolences go out to the families and friends,” Gulliver wrote in a release to media.

Anyone with information about the cases is asked to contact Det. Sgt. Tom Shanafelt at 941-954-7089. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 941-366-TIPS or by going online to www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com.

Stay with Patch for updates as they become available.

Image via Shutterstock

See Also:

• Hypertension to Blame in Sarasota Prisoner’s Death, Medical Examiner Says
• Hunt Continues for Man Accused of Killing His Father

Keep up with what’s happening around town and the state by signing up for your favorite Patch daily newsletter: Bloomingdale-Riverview, Bradenton, Brandon, Carrollwood-Northdale, Clearwater, Dunedin, East Lake, Gulfport, Land O’ Lakes, Largo, Lutz, New Port Richey, New Tampa, Palm Harbor, Pinellas Beaches, Safety Harbor, Sarasota, Seminole Heights, South Tampa-Hyde Park, St. Pete, Tarpon Springs, Temple Terrace, Westchase.