Byrne autopsy results released
“Probable hypothermia due to prolonged environmental exposure” is the official cause of death for Alyssa Byrne.
The 19-year-old Petaluma woman died New Year’s weekend in South Lake Tahoe after having attended the SnowGlobe Music Festival near Lake Tahoe Community College.
South Tahoe residents gathered Jan. 17 at Lakeview Commons to remember Alyssa Byrne. Photo/LTN file
The autopsy results were released Feb. 18 by the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department.
Methamphetamines and other drugs were found in her system, according to the toxicology report.
“We had learned from associates and friends she was using drugs. It’s sad, but we think it did contribute to her death,” sheriff’s Lt. Pete Van Arnum told Lake Tahoe News. “The hypothermia is probably what killed her first.”
Byrne’s body was found on the east side of Pioneer trail near Al Tahoe Boulevard after she had gone missing for three days. She had discarded her jacket nearby. This is a classic sign of someone with hypothermia; shedding clothing despite freezing temperatures.
— Lake Tahoe News staff report
Very sad :( Most of us have made poor decisions at one time in our lives, and gotten away with it, but some don’t. Rest In Peace Alyssa.
“We had learned from associates and friends she was using drugs. It’s sad, but we think it did contribute to her death,” sheriff’s Lt. Pete Van Arnum told Lake Tahoe News. “The hypothermia is probably what killed her first.”
did someone actually say that last sentence? Also, I hope it’s the toxicology report that led to the conclusion, not just the statement of friends. And none of this really speaks to why she would head in the wrong direction or whether someone picked her up, drove her around and then dumped her off near Pioneer Trail later when fewer cars are driving by and it would have been much easier to be disoriented.
Is the sheriff implying that she took so many drugs, they were going to kill her, but the cold got her first?
Whats the rest of the story.what other drugs. This article screams mis information!
Must be a slow news day. I think folks are getting bored with the weather and looking for conspiracies. The sheriff noted that the drugs probably contributed to her death. Pretty simple – abuse of drugs and alcohol are known to alter ones ability to make rational choices. I remember vividly my college days and saw enough bad behavior and bad choices being driven by the excessive use of drugs and alcohol – not particularly shocked by the findings. Would have been surprised if they did not find evidence of drug or alcohol use.
She was toasted (which her friends confirmed the findings of the toxicology report – pretty normal investigatory procedure) wandered (again not an unusual behavior for someone under the influence) except in this case the conditions were brutal and she was unprepared and it lead to her death.
Read all of the stories in Russia of drunks being found days later in a snow bank from wandering off and dying from hypothermia – sadly in cold climates not always that rare.
Rick