By Mary O’KEEFE

The Orange County Sheriff’s Dept. Coroner Division released the toxicology report concerning the death of Noah Domingo, 18, a graduate of Crescenta Valley High School who matriculated to UC Irvine.

City of Irvine police were called to a home on Sycamore Creek early in the morning of Jan. 12. Domingo was found non-responsive at the time. According to the OC Coroner’s statement, his death was determined to be accidental acute ethanol intoxication. It was estimated that at the time of his death, at 3:30 a.m. on Jan. 12, Domingo’s blood alcohol level was detected to be about 0.331. Tests did not find any additional substances in his system.

“The Irvine Police Dept. is actively investigating this case. At the conclusion of our investigation, we will present our findings to the District Attorney’s Office, which will determine whether charges are warranted,” said Irvine Police Dept. Lieutenant Mark Anderson.

The Coroner’s press release ended with, “We extend our deepest sympathies to the Domingo family for their loss.”

The off-campus home on Sycamore Creek was reported as the location of a fraternity party the night before Domingo’s death. The fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, was immediately placed on suspension by the UC Irvine administration pending the investigation.

UC Irvine released a statement today (March 11):

“We remain shocked and saddened by Noah’s tragic death, and we offer our deepest sympathies to the Domingo family for their loss. His death brings an urgent focus on alcohol and substance abuse, from the cultural pressures that encourage unhealthy behavior to the policies designed to mitigate danger. Chancellor Howard Gillman has directed our Division of Student Affairs to assemble a team of students, faculty, staff and external experts to offer recommendations for how we might improve our culture and policies to help ensure a healthier environment in the future. In addition, the Sigma Alpha Epsilon national organization closed the UCI chapter indefinitely. In memory of Noah, let us work toward a future in which we all benefit from an enhanced culture of self-care, mutual care, bystander intervention and whole-person wellness.”

While at Crescenta Valley High School, Domingo was on the Falcon basketball team and was a well-known and well-liked student. 

According to the Irvine Police Dept., the investigation is ongoing.

  Mary Okeefe