The death of an ASU freshman in January has been ruled a homicide, according to the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office.
Andrew Tucker, 18, was found dead in his Best Hall dorm room Jan. 21 after friends had requested a welfare check. The medical examiner's office said Tucker died from acute morphine intoxication. An official report has not been released.
Police officials would not comment on whether the death was malicious or accidental. The investigation is still pending. They also would not comment on whether there are any suspects.
Stan Tucker, Andrew's father, said in a phone interview from Lubbock, Texas, on Wednesday that he and his family were not surprised that the case was ruled a homicide.
"We wondered if it was (a homicide)," Tucker said.
A detective had called the family asking how Andrew had played his guitar. "The detectives said his guitar looked like it was upside down when they found him," Tucker said.
Andrew, a broadcasting freshman, was found lying on top of his guitar when police entered his room.
Tucker said that police had found drug paraphernalia in Andrew's car and dorm room but not any drugs.
"No matter what they find, it's not going to change what happened," Tucker said. "I got no impression that anyone would purposely try to harm him, but maybe that's just wishful thinking."
A taped copy of Andrew's funeral service will be shown 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the lobby of Best Hall, wing B.
Reach the reporter at lindsey.holder@asu.edu.
