Coroner issues findings in student deaths

In the News

The Nodaway County coroner has completed the investigations into two deaths which occurred on the Northwest Missouri State University campus.

Dr. Vincent Shelby said Monday in a written release that he has issued final reports regarding the deaths earlier this year of Northwest students Haily Hayes and Nicholas Turner.

Shelby connected Hayes’ death on Jan. 17 to a high concentration of diphenhydramine, which caused cardiac and respiratory failure.

Diphenhydramine is a first-generation antihistamine possessing anticholinergic, antitussive, antiemetic, and sedative properties that is mainly used to treat allergies.

The drug has a strong hypnotic effect and is FDA-approved as a nonprescription sleep aid.

Hayes was a freshman business management major from Oak Grove and a member of the Sigma Kappa sorority.

Shelby stated that Turner’s death on Jan. 31 was caused by complications resulting from a seizure disorder.

At the time of his death, Turner, a native of St. Louis, was a junior corporate recreation and wellness major who played football for the Northwest Bearcats.