Authorities say the investigation into the final moments leading up to the death of Penn State freshman Joseph Dado is coming to an end, one month after maintenance workers recovered his body in a stairwell near the Steidle Building.
While he expects developments soon, Penn State spokesman Geoff Rushton said charges will only be filed when police have all the evidence they need to complete their investigation.
"This is a complex case of a student death, and investigators are being thorough in their work," Rushton said. "Police investigations don't have set deadlines, especially if there is more information that should be looked at to better put together the events and circumstances that, in this case, led up to Joe Dado's death."
Dado had a .169 percent blood alcohol content (BAC) at the time of his death, according to toxicology test results released Oct. 9.
Authorities are investigating whether any individuals furnished alcohol to Dado, 18, on the evening of Sept. 20 or in the early hours of Sept. 21, just before he was last seen leaving the Phi Gamma Delta (Fiji) fraternity, 319 N. Burrowes Road.
Police are also investigating Alpha Tau Omega, 321 E. Fairmount Ave., another fraternity Dado visited that night. The Interfraternity Council (IFC) suspended both Fiji and Alpha Tau Omega pending the conclusion of the investigation.
Centre County District Attorney Michael Madeira said he met with Penn State Police last week on campus to discuss the progress of the investigation and to make recommendations regarding the case. That said, he can't give a timeline for charges yet.
Madeira and Rushton both said they hope students will learn from the tragedy and make smart decisions about drinking.
"I'm trying to make students aware of the criminal ramifications," Madeira said. "A lot of times students think, 'It won't happen to me -- I'm 20 years old. I'm Superman and I'm going to live forever.' But this is tragic."
Rushton said student leaders are beginning to tackle the student drinking problem and administrators are "encouraged by their interest."
The University Park Undergraduate Association is scheduled to host Campus Night Out at 5 tonight on the HUB-Robeson Center lawn to promote campus safety.
