Coroner releases cause of death of WSU student

PULLMAN — A Washington State University freshman found dead in his apartment died from alcohol and drug use.

Whitman County Coroner Annie Pillers on Tuesday, Feb. 21, said the cause of death of Luke Morgan Tyler, 19, of Redmond, was acute intoxication due to combined effects from alcohol and bupropion use.

Bupropion is used to treat depression.

Tyler was found in his college apartment in Pullman on Jan. 22 by police.

According to Tyler’s obituary, he is survived by his parents John and Colleen Tyler of Redmond, and his 17 year-old brother, Joshua, who made the following statement.

“As we are preparing for Luke Tyler’s Celebration of Life, we continue to be grateful for the immense outpouring of support and love for our family, as well as the recognition of the impact on the many lives that Luke touched. Luke’s suicide is a tremendous loss of life, love and potential that we continue to grieve.

“We are continuing to work with the authorities to determine how in a short 4 months during his first semester at WSU, Luke went from a positive, compassionate, and kind young man to having a depression so deep that caused him to take his own life. He had shared with close friends that he was at his breaking point due to hazing at Theta Chi, and we look forward to learning the truth about his experience.”

“To honor his life and recognize the kindness he spread in the world, the family asks that you consider donations to ‘The Luke Tyler Memorial Scholarship Fund’ at Sail Sand Point to enable other children to learn to sail and love the water the way Luke did.”

According to Tyler’s obituary he had a passion for sports and was studying kinesiology with dreams of becoming a physical therapist. He was an avid athlete and loved sharing his passion for water sports and body building.