Crime Alert

Cause of student's death remains under investigation

January 30, 2009

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Results of an autopsy performed on a 22-year-old student found dead Jan. 28 in his Spartan Village apartment are inconclusive and further laboratory testing is being done to determine the cause of death, according to the Michigan State University Police.

An autopsy was conducted on Don Joseph Ausman, a senior from Northville, Mich., Jan. 29 by the Ingham County Medical Examiner’s Office and toxicology reports are pending, said MSU Police Sgt. Florene McGlothian-Taylor.

MSU Police responded to Spartan Village after receiving a report of a suspicious death at 9:15 a.m. Jan. 28, where they discovered Ausman in his apartment.

At this time, police stress that the investigation shows that there is no reason to believe that the community is at risk. Police will release additional information as it becomes available. For updates, visit the MSU Home Page or the MSU police Web site.

A town hall meeting was held Jan. 28 at the Spartan Village Community Center, where representatives of the MSU Police and the MSU Counseling Center discussed the incident. The counseling center can be reached at (517) 355-8270.

Spartan Village is an apartment-style complex located off Harrison Road, southwest of MSU’s main campus. It is part of University Apartments, where priority is given to graduate-level students and above. There are more than 1,800 units in University Apartments.

Update

EAST LANSING, Mich. - MSU Police are investigating the cause of death of a 22-year-old student found dead today in Spartan Village. MSU Police Sgt. Florene McGlothian-Taylor said at about 9:15 a.m. MSU Police responded to Spartan Village on the report of a suspicious death. The deceased is Don Joseph Ausman, a senior from Northville, Mich., according to McGlothian-Taylor. Police remain on the scene and are interviewing residents of the apartment complex. At this time, the police have no reason to believe the community is at risk. Police will release additional information as it becomes available. For updates, visit the MSU Web site or www.police.msu.edu.

Update

EAST LANSING, Mich. – At 9:15 a.m. this morning the Michigan State University Police responded to Spartan Village Apartments on the report of a suspicious death. The deceased was identified as a 22 year old male MSU student and the family has been notified. MSUPD Crime Scene Investigators remain on scene collecting evidence and an autopsy has been scheduled to assist in determining the cause of death. Based on the information available at this time, police continue to stress there is no reason to believe the community is at risk.

MSU Police investigating report of suspicious death

EAST LANSING, Mich. At approximately 9:15 a.m. today the Michigan State University Police responded to Spartan Village on the report of a suspicious death. Police are currently investigating to determine the cause of death. At this time the police have no reason to believe the community is at risk. Police will release additional information as it becomes available. Please follow your local media outlets and the MSU Website for updated information.