The Daily Tar Heel
Printing news. Raising hell. Since 1893.
Thursday, March 28, 2024 Newsletters Latest print issue

We keep you informed.

Help us keep going. Donate Today.
The Daily Tar Heel

UNC Senior Found Dead; Officials Suspect Drug Use Involved

The deceased student, Daniel S. Walker of 92 Pine St. in Carrboro was a student in UNC's School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Carrboro Police Capt. Joel Booker said Saturday that officials were concerned the use of tainted drugs might have contributed to Walker's death.

"There's concern over possible drug use and the possibility of an overdose or that there could have been some tainted drugs in the area," Booker said.

"We're not trying to alarm the community. But we're trying to make folks aware this potential exists."

Booker said police were not certain what type of drugs Walker might have used or even if any drugs were used at all.

The State Medical Examiner's Office in Orange County performed an autopsy on Walker this weekend and determined that there was no foul play involved in his death, Booker said.

Because drug use was suspected, Dr. Tom Owens, assistant medical examiner and pathology resident, said certain tests were run -- the results of which should be available in a few weeks. "They won't know until they get toxicology reports back," Owens said.

"That usually takes weeks. It'll probably be a month and a half before any word is settled on."

Carrboro police will continue to investigate the incident.

Booker said Walker's body was found by one of his roommates at 10:30 a.m. Friday, adding that he was last heard in the residence by his roommates between 4:30 a.m. and 5 a.m.

Members of Walker's family, who live in Hendersonville, declined to comment on the incident.

Funeral arrangements have been made but not announced as of Sunday.

The City Editor can be reached at citydesk@unc.edu.

To get the day's news and headlines in your inbox each morning, sign up for our email newsletters.

Special Print Edition
The Daily Tar Heel's Collaborative Mental Health Edition