KCCI.com, IA
04-04-07
Authorities Await Autopsy Results In Student's Death
Police Follow Up On Possible Leads
AMES, Iowa -- The investigation continues into the death of a missing Iowa State
University student.
The body of 19-year-old Abel Bolanos was found Tuesday afternoon in Lake
Laverne.
The search may be over, but there are still plenty of unanswered questions that
investigators are trying to piece together.
Specifically they want to know what happened between the time Bolanos left a
friend's party early Saturday morning and the time he died.
Iowa State police identified the body found in Lake Laverne as Bolanos.
An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday, but police said there were no obvious
signs of foul play.
ISU police said several people overnight told police that someone matching
Bolanos' description in the CampusTown area early Saturday morning.
Authorities are also following up on other leads.
There have been questions as to at whether alcohol may have been a factor in
Bolanos' death. Investigators said they are waiting for the autopsy results.
"I think that would be speculative. The only thing that I can comment on is that
witness statements indicate that he was intoxicated at least earlier in the evening
at the party. We are still following up to find out what his condition was when he
left the party," said ISU police commander Gene Deisinger.
The school released a statement about Bolanos' death.
"The death of Abel Bolanos this week greatly saddens our entire Iowa State
University community. We have lost a valuable member of this community, and I
want to extend to the Bolanos family our deepest sympathy and condolences. I
also ask that all of us keep the Bolanos family in our thoughts and prayers at this
time of loss," said ISU's President Gregory L. Geoffroy in a statement
Wednesday.
"The tremendous outpouring of support and commitment to the search for Abel
this week reflects the caring nature of the people of our university community.
Every student is an important part of our university family, and we will miss Abel
very much."
A candlelight vigil is planned. Stay tuned to KCCI at 5 and 6 p.m. for more
details.
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