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.

Foellmi was a 2006 graduate of Caledonia High School majoring in biochemistry and cell molecular biology.

She was the third Winona State student to die since Thanksgiving. Lee Wells, 20, of Sparta, Wis., was killed Thanksgiving day in a car crash. Student Senate President Jared Stene, 22, of Woodbury, Minn., died Nov. 29 after complications of liver failure.

Contact Kevin Behr at (507) 453-3524 or at kbehr@winonadailynews.com.

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