WSU student who died at campus fraternity house was a Bellevue native



PULLMAN, Wash. – A 19-year-old Washington State University student died at a campus fraternity house Tuesday morning, and police say his death could be alcohol-related.

According to Pullman Police, officers responded about 8:35 a.m. Tuesday (Nov. 12) to an unresponsive 19-year-old at the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity house on NE Lindon Street.

Police said members of the fraternity had performed CPR on the student, but medics said he was dead when they arrived.

The student who died has been identified as Samuel Martinez, 19, of Bellevue.

His family released the following statement to Pullman Police:

We want you to know and remember some things about Sam -- his amazing athleticism, the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled, his sharp mind, his sense of humor and his steadfast loyalty to his family and friends.

Sam was a beautiful spark of light, a comet that came and went through our lives too quickly. We are overcome with grief. And we are so grateful for your prayers and well wishes through this unbearable loss.

‐‐Hector, Jolayne, Ariana Martinez and our extended families in the US and Mexico


Investigators say the death could be alcohol-related. The Whitman County Coroner's Office will release the student's name and cause of death.

WSU said fraternities and sororities on campus have voluntarily suspended all social events for the rest of the semester.

"The University extends its deepest condolences to all those impacted by this heart-breaking situation," the school said in a prepared statement. "The University is actively providing counseling and other support to the student’s family, fraternity members and classmates. We ask that you please respect their privacy during this time of personal sorrow."

The WSU student's death is the second death at a fraternity in the past week. A San Diego State University student died after a fraternity event last week. The school's president suspended 14 fraternities in response to the student's death.