sealPurdue News
_____

January 21, 1998

Cause of graduate student's death still unknown

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- The cause of death of a Purdue University graduate student from Ethiopia is still undetermined after an autopsy today (Wednesday, 1/21). Toxicology test results are pending.

The body of Tadesse Mulatu, 32, was discovered Tuesday (1/20) in his room at the Purdue International Center, 525 Russell St., West Lafayette. Mulatu was a graduate student in agronomy.

"Autopsy results were completely inconclusive," said Purdue police detective Lt. Joseph Pilotte. "Nothing was found that was out of the ordinary."

Pilotte said toxicology test results may help shed some light on Mulatu's death, but the results can take up to two weeks to be processed and returned.

Pilotte said there was no indication of foul play in Mulatu's room.

Purdue police went to the center Tuesday evening after receiving a phone call reporting that Mulatu had not been seen since Friday (1/16). Investigators found his body on the floor in the room he occupied.

Source: Lt. Joseph Pilotte, (765) 494-8221
Writer: Greg Zawisza, (765) 494-2086
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu

* To the Purdue News and Photos Page