Ashley Mangus, 14, Dies after Drinking Party

January 27, 2005:  The purpose of these posts are to track the number of people under the age of 25 or so who die of alcohol overdose or alcohol poisoning, particularly in settings where they are in the company of their peers, who could call 911 or transport the stuporous victim to an emergency room. (2004 roster;  2005 roster)

In response to comments left on this post by one Dennis R. Hilton,  I said some things about Ms. Mangus and her friends that I regret.  I apologize for any hurt I may have caused,  and I have removed those comments from my website

Ashley Mangus went to  Victor Rivera's house--Rivera is 18--after school on Friday, December 3, 2004.  Mangus, Rivera, and Kevin  Pickett got drunk, then Mangus stumbled home around 8 pm. 

She was found dead in her bed  early the next morning, Ashley, 14, died at her Big Bear Lake home early Saturday hours after arriving home from a drinking party.

Girl's death prompts warning --Two Inland men face charges after 14-year-old Ashley Mangus died. --01:08 AM PST on Tuesday, December 7, 2004 --By SHARON McNARY / The Press-Enterprise

A high school student cried as she walked the hallway of Chautauqua High School Monday morning, fingering a pink-highlighted newspaper article about classmate Ashley Mangus.

Ashley, 14, died at her Big Bear Lake home early Saturday hours after arriving home from a party. Alcohol may have been a factor in her death, the coroner's office said, though the toxicological tests won't be done for weeks.

"This is not a typical day in the life of a school when a student dies. It's a very sad tragedy," Principal Steve Schour said. A counselor was called to the 110-student campus to help students, Schour said.

The school has abuse prevention programs in place, but Schour said it was too early to say if the school would take any particular actions in response to Ashley's death, because the cause still was unknown.

"When any student dies as a result of having too much alcohol, it could well serve as an attention-getter or a wake-up call," Schour said. "Teenage drug and alcohol use is a major concern for the entire community, not just Big Bear, but everywhere."

On Saturday, sheriff's officials said Ashley's level of intoxication "is believed to be ... a contributing factor" in her death.  Two Big Bear City men are scheduled to be arraigned today on child endangerment charges stemming from the Friday night party.

Snowboard instructor Victor Rivera, 18, was arrested on a suspicion of child endangerment because he let minors and people under the legal drinking age of 21 have alcohol at his house, said sheriff's Detective Jay Hagen.

Kevin Keith Pickett, 22, who is unemployed, also was arrested on suspicion of child endangerment, Hagen said.  He is suspected of buying the liquor.

A search of Rivera's house turned up empty 40-ounce beer containers. Whether drugs were available remains an open question, Hagen said.

"I asked all the drug questions of the people she was with and they deny it. There was some evidence of some marijuana, that one of the people there had a little bit of marijuana in a pipe. We didn't come across any indication of other drugs," Hagen said.

"It's not epidemic, it's not real common," for younger teens to die of alcohol or drug poisoning, Hagen said, adding that the cause of her death will not be known until toxicology tests are completed, probably in six to eight weeks.

"The message needs to get out to people who want to supply alcohol to juveniles, if the juveniles end up injured or dead, there can be very serious charges, not just child endangering, but up to involuntary manslaughter," Hagen said.

Parents might consider the 4 to 8 p.m. time period when Ashley was at the party to be a relatively safe time for their teen to be at an unknown location, but Hagen said parents should make efforts to know their children's whereabouts at all times.  He said that Ashley's mother made calls to check up on her daughter while she was gone.   "You have to know what your kids are doing and where they're going," Hagen said.

In the Chautauqua High school parking lot, Cindy Schroeder, a mother of six, said Ashley's death confirmed the wisdom of keeping a tight rein on her children's whereabouts. She met her 15-year-old daughter at the gate to take her to a convenience store where they both work.

"She's usually not out of my sight," Schroeder said. "I watch my kids constantly."

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Friends say they warned Ashley Magnus that her lifestyle was leading to trouble. 12:05 AM PST on Monday, December 6, 2004  By SHARON McNARY / The Press-Enterprise

BIG BEAR LAKE - On the last day of Ashley Mangus' life, her friends warned the petite blonde 14-year-old that she was in danger; one even asked her to go to a hospital.   But Ashley, a tiny girl with platinum-dyed hair who wore tough-looking black clothing to church each Sunday, was found dead at her Big Bear Lake home early Saturday.

The cause won't be known for several weeks until toxicology tests are done, but the San Bernardino County coroner's office said alcohol may have been a factor in her death.   Ashley was struggling to choose a path to adulthood, said her friends and pastor.

On the one hand, she joined a church and attended weekly services. At the same time, she was drawn to a circle of people that her friends said were a dangerous influence.  Ashley's mother, Beverly Mangus, disputed that notion.

"Her struggle was being 14," said Mangus, as she sat in a car outside her home. Snow fell on the mobile home park where she lived with Ashley and a younger daughter. "You're between being a child and a grownup. Trying to make decisions, that's hard."

Those who saw her Friday afternoon look back on that day, wondering if her death could have been prevented.  "I told her she needed to stay away from drugs so she could get into college and have a future," said friend Chrystal Bonde, 17, a senior and classmate of Ashley's at Chautauqua High School. "She really didn't care about her future." Police have not indicated that drugs were involved in Ashley's death.

Bonde said Ashley was a brilliant writer whose dark poems seemed a cry for help. Ashley went by nicknames such as Blonde Barbie, Punk Barbie, Ash and Rabbit, because she had a little pink nose, Bonde said.

Chautauqua High Principal Steve Schour, in the midst of planning to have grief counselors available when school opens today, said Sunday that Ashley was doing well at school.  "I could tell that Ashley was a very intelligent, insightful and pleasant young girl. She was a successful, well-liked student," Schour said.

Lisa Lowe, 13, rode a bus east on Big Bear Boulevard with Ashley and another girl about 4 p.m.  Ashley and the friend were going to a party at the home of Victor Rivera, 18. Lisa said she stayed away from the party.   Victor's brother Michael Rivera, 17, said it appeared Ashley had been drinking when she got to the party. He said there was alcohol, but no drugs at the party.   His brother, Victor, 18, and a man named Kevin Pickett, 22, were arrested Saturday and were being held Sunday at West Valley Detention Center on suspicion of child endangerment.

Michael Rivera said Ashley left about 8 p.m. "We kicked the girl out because she was too drunk," he said.  An acquaintance of the Rivera brothers gave Ashley a ride back to Big Bear Village, dropping her at a sandwich shop, Michael Rivera said. 

Kim Carter picks up the story from there. Her son, Kevin Gomez, was Ashley's boyfriend. Kevin brought Ashley, who appeared to be intoxicated, back to the Carter house, she said.  "She (Ashley) was hysterical, crying. She just needed help," Carter said.  They wanted to call 911 and tried to get her to go to the hospital, but she refused, Carter said. After she appeared to sober up, they drove her home.   "Now we've got a dead girl on our hands," Carter said.

During the evening, Mangus said she was trying to reach Ashley on the phone. She called the number Ashley gave her, but it was the Rivera house, not the home of the friend with whom Ashley had said she would be.

The person who answered the phone at the Rivera house told Mangus that Ashley had been vomiting, Mangus said.   "I called around, I was forcing the issue," Mangus said. Mangus said that she had called the Sheriff's Department on two previous occasions when Ashley did not come home at night.

Mangus said Ashley got home Friday about 8:25 p.m. She found the teen dead on the floor of Ashley's bedroom early Saturday morning.   On Sunday, as word of Ashley's death circulated, many of her friends went to a service at a Big Bear Village coffee house that also serves as the World Harvest Church.

Pastor John Dunn said Ashley became a Christian six months ago when she came forward in response to an altar call. He will preside over a 6 p.m. memorial service Thursday at the church.  Dunn said that she had told him about using drugs and alcohol and her problems at home and school.  "She was trying very hard. Her goal was to get through each day," Dunn said.

There were a number of comments on this article that I have deleted, most from a person named Dennis R. Hilton, who has an agenda about kids and drugs with which I do not agree.  This blog is paid for by me, and maintained by me as an expression of my own opinions.  I decided to delete Mr. Hilton's statements from this blog, and to direct any interested reader to Mr. Hilton's blog.  I wll continue to delete Mr. Hilton's comments (and any others I find unseemly).  If you are interested in reading Mr. Hilton's views on children and drug use, please proceed to his blog.

Mr. Hilton has his own web site, http://usuarios.lycos.es/speakeasy/.
He also has a snail mail address:
Dennis R. Hilton
PO Box 1989
Big Bear Lake
CA 92315-1989 (909) 878-3056 

Most of the comments he made here  were cut-and-past versions of his opinions as expressed on his web site.  They weren't particularly germane to this topic, which is to track the number of people under the age of 25 or so who die of alcohol overdose or alcohol poisoning, particularly in settings where they are in the company of their peers, who could call 911 or transport the victim to an emergency room.

Again, I said some things about Ms. Mangus that I regret. I apologize to her friends and family.
====

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 Mission: 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. 

Kimberly Ostien's memorial foundation: "With binge drinking on the rise, we feel it necessary to get the message out on the danger of alcohol, especially excessive alcohol consumed in a short period of time.  Students are educated on drugs and alcohol but they will continue to experiment no matter what.  We want to educate on what to do when a friend falls down or passes out from drinking.  Often we want to put that person to bed to sleep it off and that is when the trouble can begin."  The card lists the information, above.

Comments

[Lindsay Walker]

Just so you know, my little sister did not die on the floor of her room, as is stated in the news article you have posted on your site. My mother went in and took off Ashley's Converse that she'd fallen asleep in, and tucked her in. When my mother found Ashley the next morning, she was still curled up on her bed, with the dog looking up at my mom as if to say, "something's not right...". The firemen who responded to my mother's 911 call found Ashley on the floor, because that is where they had instructed her to attempt CPR on her motionless baby girl.

[Anomynus]

Hi i found this story really sad as i have been in the same situation. I drank to much and was unconsious its not the same as dying but i had my friends round me and without one of them calling the ambulance i would have been dead within the next 10mins. After this happened i realsied how important life is as i had suffered from really bad depression before and suicide thoughts. I am only 14 to and it make me really sad to read this story about this young girl who died and makes me really think of how lucky i was. I feel deep sympathy for her friends and family and want to say dont drink it may seem cool but at our age it really damages your body.

[michele]

I cried after reading this story. For the first time on the 28th April 06, i had to rush to the hospital to see my 14yr old daughter completely out of it on a hospital bed. Thankgod she pulled through and i have her with me today. I thought that i had talked enough sense into her never ever to be waylayed into a situation like this, but being around friends or so called friends who persisted on her drinking to be in the gang does not help. I only hope this has scared her enough not to do it again.

[Denny Soinski]

The sad story about Ashley reminds me of an article I recently read that entitled: "What Causes College Students to Abuse Alcohol"? The answers are probably many, but the simplest answer is this: Because they can.

When there are so few immediate consequences for excessive drinking, when repeat offenders are not disciplined, when parents are not notified about their children's drinking activities, when students get mixed messages from the college administration about alcohol, when students have seen their parents drinking alcohol in an irresponsible manner, when students are not informed about the long-tern negative consequences of alcohol abuse, when there are few alcohol-free social and recreational activities that are attractive to students, when minors or intoxicated students are served alcoholic beverages by the local drinking establishments, and when the drinking activities in the sororities and fraternities are not monitored---drinking and excessive drinking become so very easy.

When peer pressure or influence is added to the equation, when it is disregarded that drinking alcohol temporarily removes a person from his or her problems, when ignoring the belief or perception that drinking alcohol makes it easier to socialize with potential dating or sexual partners, when it is so acceptable to engage in activities that emphasize the drinking of alcohol, when the "good feelings" or the "fun" of getting an alcohol high or buzz are not considered, and when the party atmosphere at college is expected by students----it become more clear regarding what causes college students to abuse alcohol.

In a word, college students abuse alcohol because they can, because drinking makes them feel good, because drinking helps them relax and open up more in social situations, because drinking can be fun, because their friends and other students are doing it, because of peer pressure and peer influence, because alcohol is so accessible, because excessive drinking is accepted, and because many of them started drinking when they were Ashley's age.

[stephanie]

why ashley?she was so loving and caring,she did not deserve this whatsoever,she made a lasting impression on everyone she met.We miss you and love you Ashley,your forever in our hearts and minds,never to be forgotten.

~R.I.P~

[Anonymous]

I talked with family and friends.

Ashley Mangus died from a self-inflicted overdose of fifty Vicodin tablets. It had nothing to do with alcohol.

All you self-serving voyeurs who were so anxious to fabricate press releases, toot your horns and abuse her friends, make me ill.

She was an adult, who was controlled, abused, exploited and preyed upon by a disgusting theocratic government that cannot control its obscene obsession with the bodies and lives of others, and which would simply not LET her be an adult.

[Anonymous]

One more thing...

In the process of following this, I have become a good friend and neighbor of Ashley's boyfriend, Kevin, and several of their friends. Though I have witnessed frequent harassment of some of the most responsible teen adults I know (far more so than the "legal" adults in the neighborhood), their behavior remains something to make their families proud.

Sheriff, you're not needed. We'll take care of ourselves. Honesty and responsibility works just fine for us.

[greg brown]

does any body know how to get in touch with beverly mangus. if so email me at [email protected] i was so shocked to here about ashley

[Tripp]

Wow,it's been so long.We miss you Ashley it's still hard to believe that you're actually gone.So much has happened and i would give anything for you to be back to experience it.
We love you.
R.I.P

[Drug and Alcohol Test]

Really very sad story. Hope such kind of stories brings awareness among people.

[Florida Traffic School]

Hope people will be careful when they read the story about ashley.

[Florida Driving School]

Definitely some awareness will be created among those who read this post.

[DMV Practice Test]

Truly sad story

[Broward County Traffic School]

I want to post the story in my blog.

[kevin gomez]

i love and miss you ashley and i always will <3 why did you have to go and for the record she died 12-4-04 the day before my 17th birthday

miss and love you always ash