Two college students in the upstate New York town of Ithaca died in recent days in unrelated deaths that appeared to involve alcohol, police said on Monday.
Police were awaiting autopsy results on George Desdunes, 19, who was found dead on Friday at his fraternity house at Cornell University and Victoria Cheng, 17, an Ithaca College student.
Cheng was found dead in the snow outside her off-campus home shortly after noon on Saturday.
"It appears to be young people overindulging in alcohol," Tompkins County, N.Y. Sheriff Ken Lansing said. "At least that's what all the indications are."
Both schools issued statements of condolences to family and friends of the two students.
"Because the loss of one of our students affects us all, I ask you to please join me in keeping George's mother, family and friends foremost in your thoughts in the days ahead," Cornell President David Skorton said.
From Ithaca College, Vice President Brian McAree said: "I know the entire campus community joins me in extending our heartfelt prayers and deepest sympathies to Victoria's family, friends, professors, and classmates at this difficult time."
