The UC Davis Police Department announced Monday it has concluded its investigation into the January 2001 death of student Andrew Wieman. State analysis of evidence in the case has been completed and the Yolo County Coroner has determined the manner of death to be suicide.

"We want to express our sincerest sympathies, once again, to the Wieman family and to all of the many friends of Andrew here at UC Davis," said Police Chief Calvin Handy.

"They have endured a long, difficult process as several agencies sought to ensure that this investigation was thoroughly conducted. We appreciate their patience in what we know was the right investigative course for our respective agencies. We hope these findings can bring closure to what has been a very difficult period for all concerned."

The 13-month investigation was conducted jointly by the police department, Yolo County Coroner's Office and California Department of Justice. The coroner's office has notified the Wieman family of its finding of suicide.

Wieman, 20, a junior, was found dead in his bedroom at his on-campus fraternity house last Jan. 4. The Yolo County Coroner determined the cause of death to be multiple stab wounds. Further investigation revealed the knife believed to have caused the wounds had belonged to Wieman and contained his fingerprints. A note discovered in his room was also determined to have been written by the student. Tests showed no alcohol or drugs in his system.

Evidence evaluated thoroughly

In the ensuing months, the Department of Justice evaluated evidence provided by the UC Davis Police Department and Yolo County Coroner. Every report from the justice department including lab analysis, reconstruction of the scene, and the final equivocal death report, was evaluated in order to come to a conclusion regarding manner of death.

The equivocal death report stated in summary: "Upon analyzing this case in totality, it is our opinion that the deceased's death was not the result of a homicide. Overall, it is our opinion that the manner of death of Andrew Wieman is most consistent with suicide."

Evidence that helped the parties come to their conclusion included:

• The fact that Andrew's body was found inside his locked room, the window was locked and all keys were accounted for.
• There was no sign of forced entry, no disturbance to his belongings, and no sign that any other person had been in the room.
• Wieman was healthy and would have been able to fight any attacker, yet no sign of defense wounds was found on his body and there was no evidence of a struggle.
• No calls were received by the police department tip line, and no additional information was provided despite the reward offered by the Wieman family.

Wieman was 'troubled'

At a UC Davis press conference Monday, Chief Calvin Handy released the text of the suicide note written by Wieman. In a letter addressed to "Dear World," Wieman wrote: "I am only doing this because I have no other choice. I can no longer take care of myself & and I don't want others to have to do it for me. I can't tell what is wrong or right anymore & and I don't want to hurt anyone."

Handy said Wieman was a "troubled individual and he had some conflicts." However, he said he could not elaborate on Wieman's troubles without talking first to Andrew's family.

The Wieman family did not attend Monday's news conference, which was preceded by a press announcement at the Yolo County Sheriff's Office. The family's private investigator Jack Holder released a statement in which the Wiemans declared "serious concerns" about the investigation "stemming from the information we have."

"We know these efforts will not bring Andrew back, but we believe our questions are valid and need to be addressed, " the Wiemans wrote.

Students coming to terms

Students in Wieman's fraternity, Kappa Sigma, have spent 13 months coming to terms with their friend's death, said Wieman's former roommate, Jeff Wyly. They reacted solemnly Friday night to the news of Wieman's death being ruled an apparent suicide, Wyly said.

Despite the time that has passed since Wieman's death, students could still be unsettled by the closure of the investigation, said Emil Rodolfa, director of the UC Davis Counseling Center.

"The center is available to all students who wish to discuss their thoughts and feelings about Andrew's death," he said.

He also encourages students who are experiencing other confusion or difficulties with personal or academic aspects of their lives to seek help through the center.

"College is a difficult time for many students, as they face the challenges of discovering who they are, what they will do, and who they will become," Rodolfa said.

On weekdays, students can call 752-0871 for assistance. The center also sees students on a walk-in basis daily, Rodolfa said. On weekends and after hours, students may contact the Yolo County Mental Health office at 666-8515.