JORDAN FRASE - 17 yo (2009) - Peoria IL

Authorities have identified a 17-year-old
girl found dead in the basement of a Peoria house but haven't
released her cause of death.
Peoria County Coroner Johnna Ingersoll says Jordan Frase was
pronounced dead shortly after police were called to the home Sunday afternoon.
The house was not the girl's home address, and Ingersoll said it
isn't known why the girl was there.
Authorities believe she arrived at the home Saturday night. Her
mother came to pick her up Sunday just before the 911 call was made.
Ingersoll says the circumstances of the girl's death are
"suspicious," and an investigation is under way.
Authorities haven't released information about a possible cause
of death or when an autopsy will be conducted.

PEORIA —

A 17-year-old youth may have been experimenting with drugs and drinking and that led to her death, the teen's mother speculated Monday.
An autopsy on Monday did not turn up an explanation for the death of Jordan L. Frase of 1717 N. Valley Ave. She was pronounced dead about 2 p.m. Sunday at 3007 N. Knoxville Ave., the home of friends.
Frase was found dead in the basement of the home rented by Kari Laughlin and also occupied by her two sons, ages 15 and 16.
Frase's mother, Sherri Smith, told the Journal Star she believes her daughter may have taken a Xanax pill while also drinking alcohol Saturday night. Smith said she based that theory on a text message sent by her daughter and on statements of other teens who were at the house.
"I think she may have tried to experiment and didn't know what she was doing," Smith said. "If she did, she wouldn't have known what she was taking."
Peoria County Coroner Johnna Ingersoll said toxicology testing, the results of which typically take one to two weeks to be processed, are likely to clarify why Frase died.
Ingersoll said no pills were found in Frase's stomach, but that could simply mean they had been absorbed by her body. Open containers of alcohol and energy drinks were found in the basement where Frase's body was discovered.
Mixing Xanax, an anti-anxiety medication, and alcohol can have deadly effects. Ingersoll said the mixture has the potential to cause a person to stop breathing and go into cardiac arrest.
Frase was a junior at Peoria High School, where she was involved in the Air Force ROTC.
"Good student, quiet," Peoria High Principal Randy Simmons said, describing Frase. "She really had a nice presence about her. She was in school daily and attended her classes. She was really well liked and just a nice girl. It's just a sad situation, tragic."
The high school began Monday with a moment of silence, and counselors were made available to students and teachers throughout the day.
"I remember seeing her at lunch all the time, and she was always a very pleasant young lady," Simmons said. "I just feel so sad, because it's so young. I've got a daughter who's a junior. You put it in perspective, and it hurts."
Smith said her daughter was artistic and hoped to study design at Columbia College in Chicago. Frase enjoyed playing guitar, designing her own jeans and reading "Harry Potter" books.
"She was a really happy, carefree child," Smith said. "She was the light of my life."
Laughlin had arrived home from work about 8 a.m. Sunday and went to sleep, Ingersoll said. When Smith arrived at the house to pick up her daughter, Laughlin was awoken and they looked for Frase. Upon checking the home, they discovered Frase in the basement. Laughlin told police she didn't know Frase was in the home.
According to Ingersoll, Frase likely had been dead for hours when she was discovered.
It was unclear if people other than Frase and the home's three residents had been in the house Saturday night and Sunday morning. A 911 call was made about 1:15 p.m., about 45 minutes before Frase was pronounced dead.
Ingersoll said the autopsy did not reveal any injuries or underlying illnesses that would explain the death. Smith said her daughter did not have any known medical problems.
The coroner said there were minor abrasions on the stomach and chin of Frase consistent with rug burn. She said the basement where Frase was found is carpeted.
Police and the coroner's office continue to investigate. Doug Burgess, public information officer for the Peoria Police Department, said he did not know if anyone could face charges in Frase's death.
"We're waiting on toxicology reports," Burgess said. "It's an ongoing investigation. For now, it's a suspicious death."

The Peoria County Coroner has determined that a 17-year-old girl found dead in a friend's home earlier this month died of alcohol intoxication.
Coroner Johnna Ingersoll said Jordan Frase, a junior at Peoria High School, had a blood alcohol content of 0.40. In Illinois, you are legally drunk at 0.08.

Obituary
Jordan Frase
PEORIA - Jordan L. Frase, 17, of Peoria passed away Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009, in Peoria.
Jordan was born Sept. 21, 1992, in Little Rock, Ark., to Gene W. Frase III and Sherri R. Smith.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/pjstar/obituary.aspx?n=jordan-frase&pid=135837673

Teen's alcohol intoxication death a tragic reminder for young people and parents

Deborah O'Malley, Chicago Crime Examiner
November 21, 2009

This is a story that parents should make sure their teens read. It's a reminder that alcohol can be as deadly as drugs.

http://www.examiner.com/crime-in-chicago/teen-s-alcohol-intoxication-death-a-tragic-reminder-for-young-people-and-parents

Mother Talks About Suspicious Teen Death

Reported by: WMBD/WYZZ TV - Sarah Barwacz

http://centralillinoisproud.com/fulltext?nxd_id=85932