Police: Freshman Who Died At WSU Fraternity Was From Bellevue

BELLEVUE, WA — A 19-year-old freshman who died at a Washington State University fraternity house Tuesday morning was identified Wednesday as Samuel Martinez of Bellevue. Pullman Police believe alcohol was a contributing factor, but the Whitman County Coroner's Office has yet to make an official determination on the cause and manner of death. Tuesday afternoon, Pullman Police told KXLY that investigators did not believe hazing played a role.

Officers were called to the Alpha Tau Omega house shortly after 8:30 a.m. Tuesday after Martinez was found unconscious and not breathing. Fraternity members performed CPR until medics arrived. Martinez was pronounced dead at the scene.

In a statement Tuesday, Washington State University said school officials would work in tandem with the Pullman Police Department and fraternity members to learn the circumstances surrounding Martinez's death. All campus fraternities and sororities have suspended social events for the remainder of the school year.

Martinez's family released a statement to local media Wednesday, describing their son as a "beautiful spark of light" and "a comet that came and went through our lives too quickly."

The Seattle Times reports his death follows several others at West Coast fraternities in recent weeks, including at San Diego State University where 14 fraternities were suspended after a freshman died at a party.