College student found dead in sorority carpark
A 21-year-old university student has been found dead in a carpark after a night of drinking.
Olivia Chutich, a student at Iowa State University in the US, was found deceased in the parking lot of Delta Delta Delta sorority just before 10am on January 22 (local time), according to Ames Police Department.
The communications student is believed to have been lying on the ground for hours through temperatures as low as -13C before she was found, the Ames Tribune reported.
Police believe she succumbed to a combination of hypothermia and acute alcohol intoxication.
Police said the alcohol consumed by Ms Chutich may have given her a false sense of security in the current winter weather conditions in the area.
"If you have alcohol in your system, you may feel warmer than what you are and it wouldn't take too long to probably get disoriented in that type of weather," Ames Police Commander Jason Tuttle told the Ames Tribune.
"This is a very tragic accident."
Ms Chutich was the daughter of Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Margaret Chutich and her wife, Allina Health CEO Penny Wheeler. The couple adopted Ms Chutitch, born in Guatemala, as an infant.
"We weren't perfect parents, and she wasn't a perfect child, but we were a perfect match," her mothers wrote in her obituary.
They described their daughter as a “vibrant spirit" with her "heart-on-her-sleeve emotions, kindness, compassion, and glorious smile remembered by all who crossed her path".
Her "heartbroken" sorority chapter members shared a post on the ISU Tri Delta Instagram page mourning the loss of their "sister".
"We know the days and weeks ahead will be difficult, but we will always remember Olivia’s contagious laugh, bubbly personality and positive outlook on life," the tribute said.
"She lit up every room she walked into and made an impact on every single person she met. We are grateful to have been a part of her beautiful life and to have shared a special bond of friendship with her."
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