The Red and Black

Fish's neighbors hug after a meeting Sunday night, at which residents shared memories of Fish and prayed. (Emily Anne Crawford - The Red & Black) [Click to enlarge]

Freshman Louis Costanzo hangs a flier in memory of hallmate Lewis Fish, 19. (Kristen D. Faircloth - The Red & Black) [Click to enlarge]

A 19-year-old University student died of alcohol-related causes Sunday morning in his Russell Hall dorm room.

Lewis Rockwell Fish, a freshman from Atlanta, was pronounced dead by the Athens-Clarke County coroner at 10:30 a.m., according to police.

A male friend staying with Fish in his dorm room called police at 8:36 a.m. to report that Fish was ill, University Police Chief Jimmy Williamson said at a press conference Sunday evening.

When police and paramedics arrived, Fish already was dead, Williamson said.

He said the friend with Fish was not a University student, and he declined to say whether the friend had been drinking.

Darryl Willie, a graduate resident at Russell Hall, said Fish had "choked."

Williamson said it appears the death was alcohol-related and there is no indication of foul play. An autopsy is planned for Monday, he said, and results will be available in six to eight weeks.

Williamson said Fish had not been drinking at a bar or restaurant but declined to comment on how he had obtained alcohol, saying he did not want to compromise the investigation.

He also said he was not prepared to say whether anyone would be charged in connection with Fish's death.

There was no indication that Fish could have been saved had police been called sooner, Williamson added.

Fish was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, a fraternity on Pulaski Street. Williamson said Fish's drinking was not fraternity-related but would not say whether Fish had been at the fraternity house before he died.

Tyler Stephens, president of SAE, said the fraternity did not have a party Saturday. The fraternity held a special meeting Sunday night to discuss Fish's death, but Stephens would not comment on the details of the meeting.

"We're just grieving right now about his loss," he said. Stephens said the fraternity is planning a memorial but had no specific plans right now.

The fraternity also holds alcohol education programs twice a semester, he said.

Will Adgate, a freshman from Jonesboro who also lives in Russell Hall, said Fish was very charismatic and friendly.

"I was shocked. I still am," he said of Fish's death.

Fish's roommate, Cliff Williamson, was away for the weekend, and said he did not know enough about the situation to comment.

William Smethurst, headmaster of Fish's high school, The Ben Franklin Academy, called Fish "a wonderful student."

"He had much promise as a scholar and a professional," Smethurst said.

Fish's family declined to comment to The Red & Black.

Rodney Bennett, vice president for student affairs, said at the press conference the University needs help from the community to prevent underage drinking.

"Our greatest fear at the University of Georgia has been realized," he said.

Bennett said banning alcohol on campus was not the answer. The University should focus on educating students about responsible drinking, he said.

Though Fish had not been in trouble with police before, Wes Allen, a freshman from Alpharetta who lives in Russell Hall, said Fish generally "partied pretty hard."

Students busted for underage possession are sent to the Athens-Clarke County jail, according to a new University police arrest policy enacted January 1st.

- Contributing: Cristen Conger, Jessica Jordan and Lauren Morgan

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