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Tucker's death raises questions

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Jessika Osborne

No one stopped to question why Jessika Osborne moved freely through Best Residential Hall, supplying the drugs that broadcast freshman, Andrew Tucker, eventually overdosed and died from.

The 19-year-old Osborne was convicted Friday of administering narcotic drugs to Tucker, and said both she and Tucker frequently used heroin in his residence hall on the weekends.

Residential Life, however, wasn't aware of Tucker's death until three days later, when friends contacted a resident assistant.

"It was a difficult situation," said Jennifer Hiatt, associate director of Residential Life. "Responsibility should fall on students, friends and RAs. It is a community effort."

Hiatt said the Tucker situation was difficult for the RA to track because Tucker lived alone and there was no roommate to see him on a regular basis.

Residential Life decided not to hold the RA who was responsible for Tucker accountable.

ASU Police found Tucker while performing a welfare check after an RA received calls from friends regarding his absence.

The welfare check involves the residence hall coordinator, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, and a graduate hall director. They are done to "respond to emergency situations, including maintenance, safety, health concerns," according to the residential life handbook.

Since Tucker's death, Residential Life decided not to change policy or training regarding welfare checks on students.

"As soon as we received the calls, we responded immediately to the situation," Hiatt said.

Pre-business sophomore, Chris Dvorchak lived in West Hayden Hall, next to Best Hall, when Tucker was found dead.

"I think it should be the responsibility of the RA to look after residents," Dvorchak said. "But there was nothing that could have done to prevent Tucker's death."

Best Hall resident and psychology freshman, Nicole Finch said it's not the RAs' responsibility to look after their residents every move.

"I don't think RAs should be held responsible for something like that," Finch said. "Students are adults and capable of making their own decisions."

Reach the reporter at meagan.pollnow@asu.edu.

Related Stories

Jan. 23, 2002 - Student found dead in campus dorm room

Jan. 25, 2002 - New information given in dorm room death

April 4, 2002 - Student death ruled homicide

April 5, 2002 - Friends react to homicide ruling on Tucker's death

April 6, 2002 - Police pursuing suspect in ASU homicide case

June 25, 2002 - Friend injects lethal dose in ASU drug-death

Sept. 13, 2002 - Glendale girl pleads guilty in homicide of ASU sophomore

Oct. 14, 2002 - Girl gets probation in death of ASU freshman


Andrew Tucker


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