Student Found Dead in River Was Drunk

When University of Wisconsin student Mahalia Xiong disappeared after a night out of bowling and drinking with friends, it set off a massive search that ended two weeks later when she was found in her rental car at the bottom of the Fox River in Green Bay. Now a toxicology report may explain how she ended up in the river -- her blood alcohol level was one and a half times the legal limit.

The medical examiner still has not made any conclusions about the cause of death or the manner of death of the 21-year-old Xiong and will not do so until he has reviewed all of the evidence in the case.

"This report is only one component of an extensive investigation and should not be interpreted as sole cause of her demise. I will not form any conclusions as to the cause and manner of death until all information has been gathered and reviewed," Al Klimek said in a written statement.

Family Disputes Findings

But blood tests conducted on Xiong two weeks after she disappeared, and after her body had been under water for that long, showed that her blood alcohol concentration was .12. The legal limit for driving while intoxicated is .08.

Some of Xiong's family members and friends dispute the findings, however, telling reporters that it was not in character for her to get that intoxicated.

"We all feel that she didn't just drive into the river. I mean, it just doesn't make any sense," her sister Melissa Sinitsky said. "She was never suicidal. She had stress but never to the point where she talked about committing suicide or running away or things like that."

Earlier Article:
Missing Student's Car Found in River

Forum:
Discuss The Xiong Case

Free Newsletter:
Get the Crime & Punishment Newsletter

See Also:
Tests Find Mahalia Xiong was Driving Drunk
Brother Questions Report on Dead Woman's Blood-Alcohol Level