Woman found dead of possible overdose in Ypsilanti apartment
Ypsilanti police are investigating the death of a woman found dead of a possible overdose in the Peninsular Place Apartments complex.
An inner courtyard at Peninsular Place Apartments in Ypsilanti.
File photo
The woman was found in her bedroom and medication was located at the scene, indicating a possible overdose. There are no signs of foul play and an autopsy will be performed by the Washtenaw County Medical Examiner.
After not hearing from her for several days, concerned friends and family contacted the police department.
The woman is not an Eastern Michigan University student and had one roommate, Lt. Deric Gress said.
A news release states that by all indications, the death is a completely separate incident and is no way connected to the death investigation of EMU student Julia Niswender. Niswender was found dead Dec.11 in her apartment, also at Peninsular Place.
Gress said the department decided to release information about the overdose because of the concern within the community about Niswender's death.
"We wanted to make sure that everyone knew this was not any part or related to Julia's death investigation," Gress said. "That's why we released it. We want to make it clear that there's no relationship between the two."
If you, or someone you know, is having suicidal thoughts or would like to speak with someone, call the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Help is available 24 hours a day.
Katrease Stafford covers Ypsilanti for AnnArbor.com.Reach her at katreasestafford@annarbor.com or 734-623-2548 and follow her on twitter.
Comments
brian
Sat, Jan 12, 2013 : 3:38 a.m.
To Mike H., I believe in ghosts/spirits. I live in an old haunted house in Ypsi. It would be nice to know if someone died in a place before renting it but I would be fine with it. I'm not afraid of ghosts/spirits, I'm afraid of the living.
music to my ear
Sat, Jan 12, 2013 : 3:17 p.m.
chances are if it is a old house ,someone may have expired there . an old man or woman.
anti-thug
Fri, Jan 11, 2013 : 10:18 p.m.
This sounds like a problem with possible drug dealers in the area!
AdmiralMoose
Sat, Jan 12, 2013 : 4:55 p.m.
Possible doesn't equal probable.
Richard Carter
Sat, Jan 12, 2013 : 3:41 p.m.
Though the drug dealer might be one of her physicians, just as an example... doesn't necessarily mean it's thugs in a crack house.
Basic Bob
Sat, Jan 12, 2013 : 2:59 a.m.
Who needs a drug dealer when you can go to the drug STORE?
music to my ear
Sat, Jan 12, 2013 : 12:06 a.m.
thats kinda what I was implying when I reply to getyou storystraightfirst but didnt want to directly imply or accuse. but I agree. need some snooping in that area kids college money
music to my ear
Fri, Jan 11, 2013 : 8:37 p.m.
I do feel sorry that no one seen the signs, to get her help yes it was her choice. but she was sick, and dont forget loved ,my prayers are with her family.
hotsauce_gm
Fri, Jan 11, 2013 : 7:04 p.m.
If you move into an apartment that someone died in, does management inform you of this before you sign the lease?
Ypsi Eastsider
Fri, Jan 11, 2013 : 10:54 p.m.
no
music to my ear
Fri, Jan 11, 2013 : 8:35 p.m.
I too would feel like a ghost would be present ,or that I would think of it often, I like the old sayin what I do not know wont hurt me
arborani
Fri, Jan 11, 2013 : 7:32 p.m.
Dunno about this instance, but while househunting years ago, we were openly told by the agent that a suicide had occurred in one of the bathrooms. Have to admit it kind put us off.
Mike H.
Fri, Jan 11, 2013 : 7:09 p.m.
Why would you need to know? Do you believe in ghosts/spirits?
getyourstorystraightfirst
Fri, Jan 11, 2013 : 6:53 p.m.
wow...a lil eery that a similar situation presented exactly 1 month ago
Basic Bob
Sat, Jan 12, 2013 : 2:55 a.m.
Actually you don't need to know the same people to overdose. Plenty of doctors in town, I'm sure you could find more than one who can write a scrip for opioids. It's probably mere coincidence they lived in the same complex.
music to my ear
Sat, Jan 12, 2013 : 12:01 a.m.
I wonder if they knew each other and knew the "same people" must be careful not to accuse before results are in on both.
LXIX
Fri, Jan 11, 2013 : 6:15 p.m.
"We wanted to make sure that everyone knew this was not any part or related to Julia's death investigation," Gress said If the other case is still unresolved, how can that be true? There are at least five directly related connections - gender, age range, locale, demise, and toxic substance.
AdmiralMoose
Sat, Jan 12, 2013 : 4:51 p.m.
You forgot to mention that they're both bipeds. Similarities are not connections.
Richard Carter
Sat, Jan 12, 2013 : 3:39 p.m.
It's not part of the *investigation* at this point. Doesn't mean that if tox comes back with some rare organic poison in both cases, they won't suddenly become part of the same investigation. Sure, any two crimes in the city or even the world *could* be related. Sounds like police don't find enough commonality to pair them.
LXIX
Fri, Jan 11, 2013 : 10:01 p.m.
You are correct. There has yet to be a toxic substance revealed. Indicators by previous police statements are that the criminal case hinges upon the (second) toxicology report which would reveal the finding of a toxic substance. The autopsy report from the Washtenaw County Medical Examiner lists the cause of death as "pending," according to a release from Ypsilanti police. A toxicology report, which will take two to three weeks to complete, may reveal more information as to how the Eastern Michigan University student died, the release said.
YpsiVeteran
Fri, Jan 11, 2013 : 9:02 p.m.
Toxic substance? How is that related to the previous death? Last anybody knew, the toxicology reports on the other girl are not back yet...do you have information the police don't?
Dog Guy
Fri, Jan 11, 2013 : 6:13 p.m.
A 21-year-old woman is someone's little girl. Death of so young a child is a parent's greatest horror. My prayers and sympathy to her survivors, including her roommate.
GoNavy
Fri, Jan 11, 2013 : 6:08 p.m.
While we continue to waste time, resources and manpower fighting the "war on drugs," legal prescription medication (as mentioned in the article) continue to kill more Americans than all illicit drugs combined. It's time we focus our efforts on prescription medication abuse.
E Claire
Fri, Jan 11, 2013 : 9:45 p.m.
ps..i do see the suicide hotline info but still, no confirmation of this.
E Claire
Fri, Jan 11, 2013 : 9:42 p.m.
First, my condolences to the family. This has to be heartbreaking. It's not that someone can overdose, purposely or not, its that these drugs are so easy to get and easy to become addicted to. I could go to a doctor, say I'm stressed at work, and have a prescription for Xanax with no problem. Many kids start out taking pills they steal from parents or other adults and end up addicted. They then turn to heroin, a very cheap alternative, when they can't get the pills free anymore. Mental health, and the side effects of some medications, are also a big issue. Many drugs cause suicidal feelings but I don't see anything in the story mentioning suicide. Let's hope it was accidental.
YpsiVeteran
Fri, Jan 11, 2013 : 9:04 p.m.
Really? From what you posted, it appears to me it's time we focused on mental health resources, which is where the problems with everything else start. You can kill yourself with just about anything if you are sufficiently motivated. Should we live in a sterile environment devoid of all possibly methods of self-destruction? Who gets to decide what stays and what goes?
TrappedinMI
Fri, Jan 11, 2013 : 8:20 p.m.
I believe you can overdose on just about any drug if you choose to. What do you propose we do?
Nadie
Fri, Jan 11, 2013 : 7:39 p.m.
"Modern medicine".
notta
Fri, Jan 11, 2013 : 6:08 p.m.
wow, feel bad for penn place management. gonna be hard to put good residents in there if dead bodies keep popping up.
Richard Carter
Sat, Jan 12, 2013 : 3:37 p.m.
If they pop up, there's a far worse problem going on.
porchbear
Fri, Jan 11, 2013 : 5:33 p.m.
Also, you have the apartment complex named "Pennisular Place" about halfway through the article. LOL
Julie Baker
Fri, Jan 11, 2013 : 5:37 p.m.
Thanks, that typo has been corrected.
porchbear
Fri, Jan 11, 2013 : 5:10 p.m.
There is some bad juju at this apartment complex lately.
porchbear
Fri, Jan 11, 2013 : 5:16 p.m.
I realize what a pointless comment this is and have therefore voted myself down.