New information about a 19-year-old ASU student found dead in his dorm room was released Thursday by his father and police.
ASU police found the body of Andrew Tucker, a broadcasting freshman, shortly before 10 p.m. Monday after several students reported not having seen Tucker for a few days.
The Maricopa County Medical Examiners Office has performed an autopsy on the body, but the time, date and cause of death are still pending. Officials said it could take up to 16 weeks to determine cause of death.
Though no foul play was evident, ASU detectives are investigating the case.
ASU officials released a report Thursday on the officers' Monday night welfare check. Welfare checks are performed regularly when there is concern about the whereabouts or well-being of students, ASU spokesman Keith Jennings said.
The report revealed that Tucker's body was found on the floor over his guitar.
In a phone interview from Lubbock, Texas, Stan Tucker, father of Andrew Tucker, said he does not believe his son's death was a suicide.
"A few months ago, I would have said it was possible (that Andrew committed suicide)," Tucker said. "He was going through different medications trying to find the right combinations."
Tucker said Andrew had been taking several medications for depression, bipolar disorder and stomach problems that doctors had not yet identified.
"We have our memories of Andy," Tucker added, "and no matter what did happen, it won't influence our memory of him."
Andrew's parents and 15-year-old sister, Michelle, drove to Arizona Tuesday morning after Lubbock police notified them of Andrew's death. They met with several administrators and then met friends of Andrew's.
"When we went to his room, there were bouquets of flowers, notes, banners and cards in front of the door," Tucker said. "It was like a shrine to him. We spent the next two hours talking to his friends who told us how much Andy meant to them."
Tucker said many of Andrew's friends said they had "never met anyone like (Andrew)."
Bob Soza, assistant vice president of Student Life, was one of the administrators who met with the Tucker family.
"Given the circumstances and the situation they were in, they were amazing," Soza said. "They were so appreciative of the University's response and very appreciative of our assistance to them during their time of need."
ASU police Lt. John Sutton echoed Soza's comments, saying they were "in a lot of pain and did the best they could to stay controlled."
Andrew and his family talked almost daily, Tucker said, and they had tried to call him Saturday, with no answer.
Jennings said Andrew was last seen Saturday morning.
Tucker said he couldn't have asked for a better relationship with Andrew, and they would often spend late nights talking together.
"We both had trouble sleeping," Tucker said, "so sometimes he would come downstairs and we would talk for hours."
Andrew had a roommate in the fall but lived alone in Best Hall this semester.
Andrew's funeral service will be 10 a.m. Saturday at the Monterey Church of Christ in Lubbock.
ASU's Counseling and Consultation Center is available to talk to students about Andrew's death. For information, call (480) 965-6146 or visit the Student Services Building, Room 334.
Reach the reporter at lindsey.holder@asu.edu.
