According to the The Cavalier Daily, the University of Virginia student paper:             Top of  page                                Article

Reported that Cornell University freshman Matthew Pearlstone was found dead  in the Cauthen residence hall at the University of Virginia where he had been the guest of a first-year University student.  Mr. Pearlstone died of alcohol poisoning.
 

Student found dead at U.Va.                                                            Top of  page

Cornell freshman was visiting a friend; autopsy is planned

Reported the ongoing police are investigation of the death of Matthew Pearlstone.  Howard Pearlstone, Matthew Pearlstone's grandfather, said his grandson was "partying" the night before he died and stayed at the dorm afterward.  "He went to sleep and never woke up," Howard Pearlstone said. "The whole thing is beyond my comprehension."

Cornell student dies while visiting U.Va. over weekend         Top of  page

Cornell University freshman found dead in Cauthen residence hall Friday morning; University Police say cause of death has yet to be determined

Kristin Hawkins, Cavalier Daily Associate Editor

Reported on Matthew's death and the fraternity's reaction in the aftermath. 

"Pearlstone spent part of the night before he died at the Sigma Phi Epsilon house. SPE pledge Andrew Van Der Vaart said the fraternity recently met to discuss the events of Thursday night."

"During their meeting, SPE brothers said Pearlstone visited their fraternity on Thursday evening and consumed alcohol there. However, Pearlstone drank alcohol he brought in a flask rather than consuming alcohol provided by SPE, Van Der Vaart said.  SPE president Bryant Thomas said the fraternity's largest concern is for the victim and his family.  "My fraternity is cooperating fully with the investigation," Thomas added.  SPE brothers determined that Pearlstone was escorted back to Cauthen by his friend, who is a pledge at SPE, and a SPE brother, according to Van Der Vaart.   "They said they put him in bed and he was still responding," Van Der Vaart said. "They rolled him on his side [and his friend] stayed in the room for 15 minutes" before returning to his own room.   Van Der Vaart added that SPE's regional director visited the fraternity recently and told fraternity brothers that the chapter did not need to be concerned about losing its charter.   "He said it was evident to him that it hadn't been us who were serving him" alcohol, Van Der Vaart said. "We did everything we could." Thomas said any potential social probation measures will be determined within the University community by the Inter-Fraternity Council.   The fraternity will remain "dry" until a decision is made, Van Der Vaart added."

Cornell Newspaper

April 3 memorial service set for Matthew Pearlstone '09     

By Daniel Aloi                   Top of  page                   Article

A memorial service for Cornell freshman Matthew Pearlstone will be held Monday, April 3, at 5 p.m. in the Townhouse Community Center on North Campus. Rev. Janet Shortall and Rabbi Ed Rosenthal will lead the service.

Pearlstone, 19, died March 17 while visiting a friend at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. After an autopsy, the state medical examiner's office in Richmond concluded that the death was accidental and that Pearlstone died of alcohol poisoning. University of Virginia police are still investigating the incident.

Pearlstone studied engineering and computer science and was a member of Cornell's Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Team. A community support meeting was held for his friends and associates on March 27 in the Townhouse Community Center. Pearlstone's funeral was held March 23 in St. Louis.

A memorial fund has been established in Pearlstone's name. Donations can be sent to the Matt Pearlstone Scholarship Fund, c/o Ladue High School, 1201 S. Watson Road, St. Louis, MO 63124.

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UVa students punished in teen's drinking death                         

 By Liesel Nowak  / Daily Progress staff writer

June 20, 2006   Top of  page                   Article

Reported that two University of Virginia students were arrested in the  drinking-related death of Matthew Pearlstone.

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