ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) — Classes just started up again last week for fall semester at the University of Minnesota and now, some students are dealing with a sudden loss. Early Wednesday morning, a fraternity brother was found dead inside the Alpha Gamma Rho house near the St. Paul campus. Multiple sources identified the man as Dylan Fulton, a 20-year-old sophomore at the University. A fraternity website lists his hometown as Miller, South Dakota and that he is pursuing a degree in Animal Science with a beef production emphasis. Authorities tell WCCO-TV alcohol may be a factor in his death, but they won’t know for sure until an autopsy is complete. They do not believe hazing or foul play are involved. The organization has been at the University of Minnesota since 1917 and all members are pursuing careers related to agriculture, food or fiber. According to the fraternity’s website, there is no “pledging process” within the organization and everyone joins as an equal member. On Wednesday, the CEO of Alpha Gamma Rho issued the following statement: “As we grieve the loss of this young man, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones, as well as to our brothers in the University of Minnesota chapter. The depths of their grief are unimaginable, and we will to do anything we can to support them at this difficult time.” The U’s Interim Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, Maggie Towle, also issued a statement: “We are saddened to learn of the death of one of our students. The Saint Paul Police Department is leading the investigation of this death. They will handle any related questions. During this time of need, support and counseling is available to any members of the University community who need it. Students are encouraged to contact Boynton Health or Student Counseling Services for assistance.”<doc-sep>Police spokesman Steve Linders says officers were called to the Alpha Gamma Rho house on the 2000 block of Carter Avenue around 5 a.m. on reports of a non-responsive male. They found the student dead inside the house. ST. PAUL, Minn. - The U of M student found dead inside a frat house near the St. Paul Campus has been identified as a promising young man from a small community in South Dakota. His family released a statement Friday honoring the memory of 20-year-old Dylan Fulton of St. Lawrence, SD, and hoping nobody else has to experience the pain they are now feeling. "It is with a very heavy heart that I share this, but I want people to know the real Dylan and not let this horrific, unimaginable tragedy define the man Dylan truly was. This could have been anyone’s son/brother/grandson/nephew/cousin.....GOOD KID." "Dylan was a hard working, responsible, peace making, animal loving, family oriented, fun-loving, witty Goofball! !," the family statement continued. "He had an infectious personality. He was a great friend and care taker to many. He was a 4.0 student throughout his educational career and was Valedictorian of his 2017 class. He maintained his 4.0 at the U of Minnesota and made the Deans List. Dylan received a full ride to attend the U of M." Police spokesman Steve Linders says officers were called to the Alpha Gamma Rho house on the 2000 block of Carter Avenue around 5 a.m. Wednesday on reports of a non-responsive male. They found Fulton dead inside the house. Several people who were present in the house were taken to police headquarters for questioning. All are described as being cooperative. "We are saddened to learn of the death of one of our students," said Interim Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Maggie Towl in a statement. "The St. Paul Police Department is leading the investigation of this death. They will handle any related questions. During this time of need, support and counseling is available to any members of the University community who need it. Students are encouraged to contact Boynton Health or Student Counseling Services for assistance." Linders says alcohol may have played a role in Dylan's death, but adds that there is no indication of hazing or anything involving an initiation. The Ramsey County Medical Examiner's Office is conducting an autopsy to determine the student's cause of death. Alpha Gamma Rho (AGR) is a professional-social agriculture fraternity with 72 current university chapters. AGR says the student was a member. AGR issued a statement on Wednesday saying in part: "Alpha Gamma Rho (AGR) Fraternity was deeply saddened today to learn of the passing of a 20-year-old sophomore brother in our University of Minnesota Chapter in St. Paul. Alpha Gamma Rho chapter leaders notified campus police and local authorities immediately after fraternity members discovered the young man was medically unresponsive this morning. Local authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding this tragedy. AGR will defer to the public safety agencies for all related information. AGR chapter advisers are on campus today to support the collegiate brothers." Here is the full statement from Dylan Fulton's family. It is with a very heavy heart that I share this but I want people to know the real Dylan and not let this horrific, unimaginable tragedy define the man Dylan truly was. This could have been anyone’s son/brother/grandson/nephew/cousin.....GOOD KID. Dylan was a hard working, responsible, peace making, animal loving, family oriented, fun-loving, witty Goofball!! He had an infectious personality. He was a great friend and care taker to many. He was a 4.0 student throughout his educational career and was Valedictorian of his 2017 class. He maintained his 4.0 at the U of Minnesota and made the Deans List. Dylan received a full ride to attend the U of M. He was very involved and held many offices throughout high school including FFA and placed 1st at the South Dakota State Convention which qualified him and his teammates for Nationals in Farm Business Management. Most recently he was an officer for his fraternity. He was a leader and was respected and looked up to by many. He directed plays as well as participating in them. He would often step up and motivate the crowd in supporting the team. He was involved in sports and rodeo. He loved spending time with his family especially his cousins. Dylan will be missed and we hope that nothing like this ever happens to your loved ones. Please keep my family in your prayers especially Paul, Kayleen, Wyatt, Mackayln and Jenna.<doc-sep>The 20 year old was reported to be unresponsive around 5 a.m. Wednesday. St. Paul police are investigating the death of a 20-year-old man at a fraternity house near the University of Minnesota's St. Paul campus. Police were called to the Alpha Gamma Rho (AGR) house on the 2000 block of Carter Ave. around 5 a.m. Wednesday on a report of an unresponsive male, and first responders arriving on scene confirmed the 20 year old had died. Police spokesman Steve Linders said alcohol may have been a factor in the death, but hazing and initiation is not suspected, nor is any other type of foul play. People inside the house at the time of the victim's death were questioned at police headquarters and were cooperative with investigators. It's unclear if the student was a member of the Lambda Chapter of AGR, which refers to itself as a "national professional/social agricultural fraternity." The student's identity will be released following notification of family members, and cause of death will be announced after the Ramsey County Medical Examiner's Office conducts an autopsy.<doc-sep>
Update: Student who died at UMN frat house was high school valedictorian, ‘could have been anyone’s son,’ family says Police are investigating the death of a 20-year-old University of Minnesota student at a fraternity house near the St. Paul campus. Alcohol may have played a role in Dylan Fulton‘s death, but that will be determined by the autopsy, said Steve Linders, a St. Paul police spokesman. Investigators found no indication of foul play, including anything such as hazing or an initiation, Linders said. Officers were called about 5 a.m. Wednesday to the house of Alpha Gamma Rho, an agriculture fraternity, on the 2000 block of Carter Avenue, which is near Cleveland Avenue. “Alpha Gamma Rho chapter leaders notified campus police and local authorities immediately after fraternity members discovered the young man was medically unresponsive this morning,” according to a statement from the fraternity’s national chapter. Alpha Gamma Rho said he was a fraternity member and a sophomore at the U. An obituary posted Wednesday said Fulton was from St. Lawrence, S.D. Fulton grew up on a family farm in central South Dakota and was pursuing a degree in animal science with a beef production emphasis, according to Alpha Gamma Rho’s local website. He was also a member of the U’s Gopher Daily Club. The Ramsey County medical examiner’s office will be conducting an autopsy to determine Fulton’s cause of death. “Investigators with the homicide unit responded to the scene, which is standard procedure any time a seemingly healthy person passes away unexpectedly,” Linders said. “Several people who were present in the house were brought to police headquarters for questioning. They all cooperated with investigators.” The fraternity’s chapter, which was formed at the U in 1917, has 30 members and more than 1,000 alumni. Chapter advisers were on campus Wednesday to support members. “As we grieve the loss of this young man, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones, as well as to our brothers in the University of Minnesota chapter,” said Rex Martin, chief executive officer of Alpha Gamma Rho. “The depths of their grief are unimaginable, and we will to do anything we can to support them at this difficult time.” Maggie Towle, the U’s interim vice provost for student affairs and dean of students, said in a Wednesday statement: “We are saddened to learn of the death of one of our students. … During this time of need, support and counseling is available to any members of the university community who need it.” Related Articles St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter delivers 2021 ‘State of Our City’ address Train Days on track to return to St. Paul Union Depot St. Paul mayor appears to prevail in fight over Alatus development project St. Paul beats Minneapolis in annual parks ranking, but both cities show uneven access based on race, income Free tours of St. Paul’s Rice Park neighborhood and Mississippi riverfront start in June Students are encouraged to contact Boynton Health or Student Counseling Services, Towle said. In February, a 20-year-old U student, who was a member of a different fraternity, died from complications of alcohol poisoning after a night that started at official sorority events and ended in a Minneapolis apartment, the Minnesota Daily reported in April.