LSA student dies in friend's home

LSA sophomore Christopher Giacherio died in Ann Arbor on Tuesday morning in the home of a friend, Ann Arbor Police Department officials said yesterday.

The cause of Giacherio's death has not yet been determined, said AAPD Lieutenant Jim Tieman.

"He was with some friends, found in an unresponsive state, sometime mid-morning," Tieman said.

Tieman said AAPD officers interviewed the individuals who were the last to be with Giacherio before he died. Yesterday the medical examiner began conducting an autopsy, including toxicology tests, to determine the cause of death.

After the friends found Giacherio, they called 911. AAPD officers and Huron Valley Ambulance medical personnel arrived and checked Giacherio for signs of life, Tieman said.

Tieman said autopsy results could have been finished as early as yesterday afternoon, but have not yet been disclosed.

Silence came over the courtyard of East Quad residence hall at midnight last night as more than 100 people attended a candle light vigil for Giacherio. Members of the Zeta Psi fraternity, of which he was a member, and other friends stood in a circle while holding candles and hugging each other. Occasionally a friend would step into the circle to share memories of him.

Friends of Giacherio's said early yesterday evening they did not know how Giacherio died, but a written statement from Zeta Psi's alumni association implied substance abuse was a factor in the death.

"We offer our deepest condolences to his family. We do not believe that this incident had any connection with our chapter, other than the fact that Chris was a member. We certainly do not condone substance abuse, and our fraternity regularly holds educational seminars on risk management. Since the police investigation is underway, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time," the alumni association statement said.

Family and friends said they remember Giacherio as both intelligent and personable.

"Chris was a very creative person," said Giacherio's mother, Rose Giacherio. "He loved to have deep conversations about world issues and he loved to draw."

Rose Giacherio added that her son cared deeply about his friends.

Giacherio's father, Don Giacherio, said his son was someone "who liked to discuss and argue.

"We would like Chris to be remembered in happy times, as an intelligent individual and intellectual," said Don Giacherio, the director of academic programs for the pathology department.

Monica Vasquez, who lived with Giacherio in East Quad during the '97-'98 academic year, said she remembers Giacherio as a warm and humorous person.

"He could make me laugh in 2.2 seconds," said Vasquez, an RC sophomore.

Last winter, Vasquez drove with Giacherio and his roommate to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. She said "it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life.

"He really knew what he liked. He knew how to have a good time," Vasquez said.

RC sophomore Alberto Santiago was another of Giacherio's neighbors in East Quad.

"Chris was a great person. He had an excellent personality," Santiago said. "There's nothing you couldn't like about him."

In addition to his welcoming personality, Giacherio also excelled in academics, Vasquez said.

"If Chris fell behind, he would always catch up," Vasquez said.

Giacherio was fond of watching movies in German and speaking with his friends in the language, Vasquez said.

"You could tell his personality just by seeing him," Vasquez said. "I feel bad. A lot of people didn't get to know him.

"I feel grateful for the time I did have with him," Vasquez said.

Both Vasquez and Santiago said they were surprised to hear about Giacherio's death.

Zeta Psi is not affiliated with the Interfraternity Council.

Rose Giacherio said funeral arrangements have been made at Muehigs Funeral Chapel in Ann Arbor, including a viewing period tomorrow from 2 p.m.-8 p.m. with a formal service at 8 p.m.

09-17-98