Jenna Foellmi, 20, Alcohol Poisoning

Ms. Foellmi was a sophomore at Winona State University.  After finals were over on Thursday,  December 13, 2007, she celebrated the end of a tough term by drinking alcohol, attending several parties.  She evidently spent the night at a friend's apartment, and was found unresponsive early the morning of the 14th.

My deepest condolences to her family and friends.

Sources
http://www.wxow.com/News/index.php?ID=15605
http://www.startribune.com/local/12721702.html

http://www.winona.edu/news/7548.htm http://www.winonadailynews.com/articles/2007/12/22/news/00lead.txt

Jenna Foellmi, 20, of Brownsville, Minn., was the third Winona State University student to die since Thanksgiving. She was found dead in a bedroom of a friend's Winona apartment around 9:30 a.m. Saturday.

"Her personality was awesome. She was always smiling," said mother Kate Foellmi, adding her daughter Jenna accomplished a lot during her 20 years of life.

She graduated with honors from Caledonia High School, made the dean's list as a freshman at Winona State, and last June went on a service trip to Africa. Her family says her outgoing personality made her easy to love.

"She was going to be a Godmother to her nephew today. She loved her family. She was just a family-oriented person," said Kate Foellmi. She said her daughter had experienced fainting spells in the past, but isn't sure if those spells are linked to Jenna Foellmi's death.

While she waits to find out what happened to her daughter, Kate Foellmi is doing her best to prepare for a holiday season without Jenna.

"I think she is up in heaven looking down on us and we have another angel up there," she said.

Jenna Foellmi was majoring in biochemistry at Winona State and minoring in cell molecular biology. She wanted to work in a crime lab when she finished school. She was the youngest of Kate Foellmi's four children.

Autopsy Report: Blood Alcohol Level "Incompatible with Life"

The death of a 20-year-old Winona State University student whose body was found in an off-campus apartment represents a "classic case of binge drinking," the city's police chief said Friday. It's also the latest in a string of deaths among college-age women in southern Minnesota that were attributed to alcohol.

Jenna Foellmi, of Brownsville, Minn., died last week after steadily drinking for more than 12 hours with friends, said Chief Frank Pomeroy. Police were called to the apartment early Dec. 14, where they found her body.

The Winona County medical examiner on Friday classified the cause of death as acute alcohol poisoning but added that he was not obligated to release her blood-alcohol content.

Medical examiner Thomas Retzinger, however, said it was a "level not compatible with life."

Pomeroy added that Foellmi had drunk large amounts of alcohol, starting before noon and continuing past midnight.

He also said his department is deciding whether to charge one or more people with supplying alcohol to the underage woman.

However, Pomeroy said, "personal responsibility" has to be emphasized in cases such as this.

Foellmi's death happened because "she was going to get smashed [after] she had a tough quarter at school," Pomeroy said, "And no one stepped in to stop that."

Foellmi was drinking at private "bring-your-own-bottle" parties, the chief said.

At one of those parties, Pomeroy said, Foellmi participated in a drinking game called "Beer Pong."

The rules of Beer Pong vary, but generally involve players trying to bounce a ping-pong ball across a table and into other players' cups of beer. As a ball lands in a cup, the player or players on the receiving end have to drink the beer. One side wins when all their opponents' cups are empty.

Foellmi, a 2006 honors graduate of Caledonia High School in far southeastern Minnesota, was a sophomore majoring in biochemistry and cell molecular biology at Winona State, her family said.

She belonged to SADD

Her time growing up in Caledonia was filled with much of what makes a rewarding start to life. She was a member of the prom and homecoming courts, was a member of the National Honor Society and was a wrestling team manager.

Her death notice in the Winona Daily News also noted that she was a member of SADD -- Students Against Destructive Decisions -- a youth version of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Caledonia High School's website says SADD is "a group of committed teens who want to make healthy choices for themselves and support their friends."

That irony was not lost on Caledonia High School Principal Ron Helmers, who described Foellmi as an active SADD member. "I didn't really have to worry about her at all," he said.

Soon after Foellmi's death, Helmers said, a teacher approached him and said: "You know, we teach about drinking and driving, but we really don't teach about drinking and dying."

At Winona State, she was on the dean's list her first semester. This past spring, she and other Winona State students went on a church mission trip to Africa, and she had a school-related trip to Australia in her plans.

"One particular evening does not define her whole life," Kate Foellmi said of her daughter, the youngest of her four children. "There is a higher power that took Jenna because it was her time."

Kate Foellmi said that when Jenna was in Tanzania helping paint a hospital with the other Winona State students, they signed their names on a pillar on the building. Kate Foellmi said she has a photo of that scene and is grateful that "a part of her is in Africa."

Student died of alcohol poisoning: Police investigate sources of alcohol

By Kevin Behr | Winona Daily News . The Winona State University student found dead in an off-campus apartment last week died of acute alcohol poisoning after more than 12 hours of drinking, officials said Friday.

Jenna Foellmi started drinking at about 11 a.m. Dec. 13 after her last final exam, police said. She attended several “bring-your-own-alcohol” parties that night before friends left her at an apartment in the 350 block of Johnson Street.

She was found dead in a bed there the next morning.

Foellmi’s blood-alcohol concentration was not revealed, but the county coroner, Dr. Thomas Retzinger, said it was “not compatible with life.” He said the death was accidental and Foellmi likely suffered respiratory or cardiac arrest as a result of the alcohol in her system.

Police are investigating how the 20-year-old sophomore from Brownsville, Minn., got her alcohol. Winona Police Chief Frank Pomeroy said it was too early to tell if criminal charges will result, but it is possible.

Most of Foellmi’s friends or acquaintances saw her drinking that day but weren’t sure exactly what she was drinking or how she got it, said Deputy Chief Paul Bostrack, who hopes to have the investigation wrapped up by the end of the university’s winter break in mid-January.

WSU President Dr. Judith Ramaley extended condolences to Foellmi’s family Friday and said her death was “distressing.”

“Jenna’s death is a great loss to all of us,” Ramaley said and wrote in an e-mail message sent to students. “As we face the circumstances of her death, we must use our resources to make a difference for other students.”

After recalling other alcohol-related deaths, Pomeroy suggested students develop a buddy system to look out for each other when out partying.

Ramaley suggested having “designated responders” who would be trained in what to do when a friend drinks too much.

“(Foellmi) was with friends all day,” Ramaley said. “And no one helped her.”

As ways to curb binge drinking in the community, Pomeroy said he is looking at ordinances to crack down on unlimited drink specials and a “host ordinance” that would make the host of a house party responsible for all underage people at the party.

Connie Gores, WSU’s vice president for student life and development, said the university will be “vigilant” about responding to alcohol use on campus. When students receive citations from the police department, those tickets are forwarded on to officials at the university. Those students are required to attend a course on alcohol and its affects and speak to a health educator about them, Gores said. She said some of them are also required to write papers about alcohol use and perform community service.

Statement from President Ramaley of Winona State University

We extend our sincerest condolences to the family of Jenna Marie Foellmi. Her death has been very distressing for me, and for all of the Winona State community.

Jenna, age 20, was found dead Dec. 14 at an off campus location.

Jenna was from Brownsville, Minn., and a graduate of Caledonia High School. She was a sophomore majoring in Biochemistry at WSU.

The medical examiner’s report issued Dec. 21 indicates Jenna’s death was caused by alcohol poisoning. Her death is a painful reminder that many of our young people are vulnerable as they make the transition to adulthood, and we must do all that we can to help them grow up safely.

Colleges and universities continue to struggle with the issue of high-risk drinking by young people. Along with students, their families and society as a whole, we have a shared responsibility to find a way to end this epidemic.

In recent years Winona State has increased its efforts to curb alcohol abuse. As an institution of higher education, our responsibility is to impact student behaviors through education, through fostering a safe and engaging environment, and through enforcing consequences for inappropriate and dangerous behaviors.

We must also work with our community and the families of our students to find solutions to the growing dangers of binge drinking. It is important that we find a way to help students understand the consequences of this harmful behavior.

Jenna’s death is a great loss to all of us. As we face the circumstances of her death, we must use our resources to make a difference for other students.

We cannot do this alone. We need everyone’s help if we are to turn around a pattern that is growing ever more dangerous for our young people. We are renewing and strengthening our collaboration with the Winona community, including the Winona Police Department, to address the high rate of binge drinking in our part of the upper Midwest. I am confident that, together, we can effect positive change in the lives of our students.

Judith A. Ramaley President

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.

Comments

[Sandy]

How tragic for her family and friends, along with societies loss.

Two weeks ago I attended a graduation party for a high school senior where the host family supplied alcohol to the minor adults. Until adults get a grip on their on drinking habits and begin showing and teaching responible behavior I'm certain that this is bound to repeat itself.

One can only hope that some good will come from this family's loss.

[Tricia Long]

I am Jenna's sister and I would just like to say that not all you read or heard is true. As we all know, the media likes to focus on the drama of the events and not the whole truth. I don't know where Pomeroy is getting his information or if they are only reporting what they want, but they left a lot of that day out. Like the fact that her friends were with her for lunch and dinner that they watched two movies. That they did not drink for 12 hours straight. But who am I to tell you this is true, oh wait, I'm her sister and I have personelly spoken to her friends. The fact of the matter is, no matter what she was doing or where she was, it was her time to go home to heaven. I take comfort in knowing that she did not suffer and went peacfuly in her sleep. If we all could be so lucky when our time comes. I love my sister and miss her dearly, I always will. For those of you who did not know her, don't judge her by one day in her life or by what you have read or heard. There is so much more to her and her life than that one faitful day.