ISU Student Found Dead in Parking Lot, Cause of Death Released

A Iowa State University student was found dead in a sorority parking lot in January. Now, the cause of death for the student has been released.

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According to KCCI, Ames police were called to Delta Delta Delta sorority located at 302 Ash Ave at 9:49 a.m. on January 2 after a caller reported a "college-aged female was found unconscious in the parking lot". That female was 21-year-old Olivia Chutich, a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority. She was pronounced dead at the scene, and We Are Iowa reports that there was no evidence of foul play.

KCCI reports that the State Medical Examiner's Office completed an autopsy on January 24 that determined the cause of death to be accidental, and caused by "acute alcohol intoxication and hypothermia." Around the time Chutich was found, the National Weather Service recorded a temperature of 11 degrees, with overnight temps as low as 8 degrees.

We Are Iowa reports that Chutich was the daughter of Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Margaret Chutich and Allina Health CEO Dr. Penny Wheeler. The family is asking for privacy as they grieve this "unimaginable loss".

There has been no other information released regarding the circumstances surrounding the death. Anyone with any information relating to the incident is encouraged to call the Ames Police Department at 239-5133, or the anonymous tip line 239-5533. You can contact Crime Stoppers of Central Iowa at 515-223-1400, or use submit online anonymous tips to crimestoppersofcentraliowa.com.