BEMIDJI, Minn. -- A Bemidji State University student who died Wednesday morning after leaving a house party in Bemidji is believed to have fallen in a creek before a passerby discovered her in a nearby wooded area in the city.
"We believe she left this social gathering at approximately 2 a.m. with the intention of walking back to her dorm," said Bemidji Police Chief Mike Mastin. "It was a series of unfortunate events."
Sandra Lommen, 20, of the Twin Cities suburb of Bloomington was a first-year nursing student at BSU who lived on-campus in the Linden dormitory. Lommen was found unconscious but breathing when officers and emergency personnel arrived at the scene at about 8:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Law enforcement said Lommen showed signs of intoxication and hypothermia. She was transported by ambulance to the Sanford Bemidji Medical Center, where she was later pronounced dead.
Lommen was found lying on the ground about a 1.5 miles from campus. Mastin said Tuesday she was dressed for the weather wearing a winter coat and boots.
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Mastin said there were only one set of tracks in the snow, indicating no foul play. Lommen's tracks led to a small creek, or a ditch filled with frozen water, in an area of Bemidji that used to be a party spot. Mastin said there hasn't been any activity in that area for the past decade.
"It appears she broke through the ice and managed to get herself out," Mastin said. "She was found probably 50 yards from the water."
An autopsy to determine the cause of Lommen's death was scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. Thursday. Bemidji police investigators were scheduled to be present at the Ramsey County Medical Examiner's office in St. Paul during the autopsy. Mastin said results may be available Friday, but will most likely be released next week.
The incident is currently under investigation. Mastin said the department is looking to speak to all the people in attendance at the house party Lommen walked away from early Wednesday morning.
Since Lommen was under 21, the investigation includes discovering how Lommen became intoxicated. Criminal charges could be pursued if it is found somebody provided Lommen with alcohol, Mastin said.
"We're not looking to grill everybody," Mastin said. "But ultimately, somebody is responsible. Somebody gave her booze."
Students at BSU were notified of Lommen's death Wednesday afternoon. Mastin met with Lommen's family Wednesday night, he said.
