Mr. Threet went back to the St. Cloud State campus before classes resumed in January, to enjoy "New Years' Week" with his friends, partying. On January 4th, his brother Joshua reports:
"He was partying all night, and they found him in his bed," Joshua Threet said. "It was his roommate who found him" at about 4 p.m. on Saturday.
My condolences to his family and friends.
Alcohol may have led to the death of a former St. Cloud State student who was found in his bedroom over the weekend, the man's brother said Monday.
Brian W. Threet, 20, of Farmington, Minn. was found dead Saturday in his St. Cloud apartment.
Sgt. Jerry Edblad said investigators ruled out both homicide and suicide as likely causes of death, leaving death by accident or natural causes.
After speaking with authorities and with his brother's close friend, Joshua Threet said he was "led to believe it was acute alcohol syndrome."
"He was partying all night, and they found him in his bed," Joshua Threet said. "It was his roommate who found him."
Joshua Threet said his parents are destroyed by the news. A Facebook tribute from friends shows a party lifestyle.
"He loved having fun with his friends. He enjoyed having fun with his friends, that was his main goal," said Joshua Threet.
On the night Brian Threet died, his friends say he was out drinking until 7 a.m.
"When we saw him, he wasn't falling over," said Kerri McCallson. She said she saw Brian Threet at 4:00 a.m.
"If this happened to him it could have happened to any one of us because he wasn't doing anything that any one of us we're not doing," said McCallson.
Police wouldn't comment further, pending a ruling from the Stearns County medical examiner.
Brian Threet began attending St. Cloud State in the fall of 2005. He was last registered for classes in spring 2007 as a pre-business major and was intending to resume classes there in the spring. His brother said Brian Threet also studied electrical engineering at Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis and had his bartending license.
Joshua Threet said his brother was in St. Cloud during break and it was "New Year's Week" around town, meaning that he and others were "going out and partying."
On a Facebook tribute, Brian Threet is shown in a drinking game called "Edward 40 hands", where 40 ounce beers are duct taped to hands.
"He liked having a good time," said his brother.
However, the good times brought problems. Brian Threet received two citations in 2005 for underage drinking. This summer he was arrested for being under 21 and drinking and driving.
"He was an amazing person. There is not a person who did not love him," said friend Isaac Herzog.
Friends are angry with the drinking questions, saying Brian Threet was never out of control.
"I've never once seen him puke. I have never once see him passed out outside. I have never seen him be that irresponsible," said friend Geovani Quintero.
However, in a small St. Cloud apartment this 20-year-old, who so loved his friends, lost his life. His brother wants his story told.
"Drinking does do this. Its all fun and games until this happens," said Joshua Threet.
When Brian Threet was arrested this summer for underage drinking and driving his blood alcohol was under the legal limit of .08, but because he was under 21 it was still a crime. His brother said as part of his sentence Brian Threet was supposed to start alcohol rehab next week.
Alcohol contributed to the deaths of three college or university students in Minnesota last year.
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.
I grew up with Brian and never, ever had a bad night with him. He knew how to drink and, if you base it off of the games he played, he was good at it. It turns out that he didn't actually die of alcohol poisoning, so you can take this one off your, or anyone else's list. The BAC for brian that night was nowhere near the LD50 level and especailly nowhere near the level it would need to be to kill someone like Brian. Pfft, tool.
Posted by: IdeRather Not | Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 11:20 PM