Monica Gastelum, 17, Alcohol Poisoning
Monica Gastelum was found in her bedroom the evening of June 27 2007, unresponsive. Emergency responders began CPR, but were unable to revive her. An autopsy revealed "accidental alcohol poisoning" and a BAC of .455.
As always, my condolences to her family and friends.
Alcohol poisoning is the reason for Gastelum's death
By XAVIER ZARAGOZA/The Daily Dispatch
The toxicology report of Monica Gastelum, the 17-year-old girl who died on June 7, concluded that her death was caused by accidental acute alcohol poisoning. The autopsy was performed at the Forensic Science Center in Tucson. A specimen of the toxicology exam was collected during the autopsy and sent to the American Institute of Toxicology in Indianapolis, Ind., Douglas police authorities said.
On July 18 the staff at the American Institute performed their tests and found that Gastellum's blood alcohol level was .455 percent at the time of her death. The figure is almost six times the Arizona legal limit of .08
The report also indicted that no other substance was found in her body at the time of her death, police officials said.
Detectives are continuing their investigation.
On June 27 police found Gastellum in a bedroom at 623 4th Street at about 9:33 p.m.
The police were escorted into the bedroom and found Gastellum lying on the floor next to the bed. Police checked for vital signs and immediately began CPR.
Shortly after, the paramedics arrived and continued with the CPR but were unsuccessful in reviving the young girl. Gastellum was pronounced dead at the scene at 9:48 p.m.
In 2004, at least nineteen people of college age died of alcohol toxicity (alcohol poisoning, alcohol overdose).
"There's no place that's actually keeping data on alcohol deaths"--Thomas Kunstman MD
In all cases, my deepest condolences to family and friends.
Underage Alcohol Deaths 2004
Underage Alcohol Deaths 2005
Underage Alcohol Deaths 2006
Signs of Alcohol Poisoning
Alcohol
depresses nerves that control involuntary actions such as breathing,
the heartbeat and the gag reflex that prevents choking. A fatal dose of
alcohol will eventually stop these functions. After the victim stops
drinking, the heart keeps beating, and the alcohol in the stomach
continues to enter the bloodstream and circulate through the system.
The victim may experience the following:
- Mental confusion, stupor, coma, unable to rouse the person
- No response to pinching the skin
- Vomiting while sleeping or unresponsive
- Seizures
- Slowed breathing (fewer than 8 breaths per minute)
- Irregular breathing (10 seconds or more between breaths)
- Hypothermia (low body temperature), bluish skin color, paleness
Alcohol Poisoning Requires Immediate Medical Attention
Alcohol Poisoning Cannot Be Reversed By:
- Drinking black coffee
- Taking a cold bath or shower
- Walking it off
The victim must have immediate medical attention.
Call 911, stay with the victim to prevent him choking on vomit, and tell emergency personnel how much alcohol the victim drank.
These Children Died of Alcohol Overdose, So Their Parents Started Foundations:
Taylor Webster's memorial foundation. Taylor died of alcohol poisoning at age 19-- Now his family and friends are working to get the message out, telling their stories and providing information on alcohol poisoning and the signs and symtoms of alcohol poisoning in hopes that lives will be saved.
Bradley McCue's memorial foundation. On November 5, 1998 Bradley turned 21. . He celebrated his birthday in a way that has become increasingly popular, drinking "his age in shots". That amount of alcohol was lethal and he died that night of alcohol poisoning.
Samantha Spady's memorial foundation. A 19-year old student at Colorado State University, Spady died of alcohol poisoning on September 5, 2004, "an unintentional tragedy." The Spadys say the SAM [Student Alcohol Management] Spady Foundation will develop peer-to-peer counseling and other services meant to reduce the risk of alcohol abuse.
Gordie Bailey's memorial foundation. The mission of the Gordie Foundation is to provide today’s youth with the skills to navigate the dangers of alcohol, and through education and promotion of self worth prevent alcohol poisoning, binge drinking and hazing.
Here's one more teen dead: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20236432/
Posted by: Bill | Sunday, August 19, 2007 at 11:42 AM
R.I.P MONiCA
YOU WiLL ALWAYS B iN OUR HEARTS.. I LOVE YOU ALWAYZ N FOREVER
Posted by: LOCALOCA1 | Sunday, October 14, 2007 at 09:44 PM