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CSU Student's Site Shows Several 'Drunken' Photos

Church Packed For Samantha Spady's Memorial

POSTED: 11:41 am MDT September 10, 2004
UPDATED: 4:53 pm MDT September 10, 2004

A Web site that has the posted photos of Samantha Spady -- the 19-year-old girl who was found dead in a fraternity from apparent alcohol poisoning -- shows that liquor and parties may have played a part of her college life.

This photo, found on a Yahoo Web page under Spady's handle, is entitled "Big Sis and me."

In high school, Spady was a DARE mentor, senior class president, National Honor Society member, head cheerleader and homecoming queen. A family spokesman said that her death was the tragic accident as result of "one mistake."

But on a Yahoo site, with messages and photos posted under Spady's handle -- sambamboogie -- there are a variety of pictures that show she was often in a social environment where alcohol was prevalent.

In an album collection entitled "College," there are pictures of Spady that say "Drunkasses," "Drunk me," and "I was drunk." A picture entitled "LIQUOR" shows her and some friends holding up bottles of hard liquor.

In a posting dated two days before Spady's body was discovered in the lounge room of the Sigma Pi fraternity, sambamboogie posted, "I'm also going to get extremely wasted this weekend, not just because it's labor day, but because Colorado State plays Colorado in football tomorrow."

The user also commented on how Fort Collins police were cracking down on drinking because of recent CSU riots, saying, "This sucks because every single party gets broken up ... My weekend is going to be way too sober if this keeps up."

Police suspect drinking contributed to her death and have ruled out foul play. The Larimer County coroner had not determined the cause of death.

Investigators believe Spady had been dead for about 12 hours before a fraternity member found her body.

The Colorado State chapter of Sigma Pi, where her body was found, was shut down Thursday after university officials said an investigation turned up past violations of alcohol rule. The university Greek system also adopted rules barring alcohol from sorority and fraternity houses and some parties.

Spady's friends back in Beatrice, Neb., say that it was not like Spady to drink. Friends at CSU say that Spady was not a binge drinker and did not abuse alcohol.

Spady's story may serve as a wake-up call to parents whose children are away at college. Social drinking is not uncommon on college campuses and in apartments, and many students may feel pressured to go along with others, or may feel the need to drink to relieve stress, health experts say.

Memorial Held

Spady's memorial was held Friday morning at Centenary United Methodist Church in Beatrice, which was packed with an estimated 800 people.

Spady's death was "an unintended tragedy," the Rev. Kelly Karges said. The former cheerleader, student council president and artist at Beatrice High was a joy for others to be around, Karges said, noting that friends and family used words like "amazing," "beautiful," and "cheery" to describe the CSU sophomore.

"The focus of her art and her energy was people," Karges said. "She was a connection, who cared about others."

Colorado State classmate and friend Kyle Ballew played guitar and sang a song he composed for Spady.

"Sam lived life to the fullest. She cared for so many," he said.

The song also told about "the prettiest girl who would bring a smile to your face."

At the church's cemetery, Spady's Chi Omega Sorority sisters gathered to wish her goodbye, singing as a group of young men laid yellow roses on her casket.

"When Sam said goodbye, she always said your name," Karges said. "Today, we begin the lifelong journey of saying goodbye."


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