Pubdate: Tue, 21 May 2002
Source: Denver Rocky Mountain News (CO)
Copyright: 2002, Denver Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.rockymountainnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/371
Viewed at: 
www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/home/article/0,1299,DRMN_1_1160203,00.html

AUTOPSY CONDUCTED ON ORANGE COUNTY GIRL WHO DIES AFTER PROM

SANTA ANA, Calif.- An autopsy was conducted Tuesday on the body of a high 
school student who died after her prom from a possible drug overdose.

The Orange County coroner's office said the initial autopsy on Cathy 
Isford, 18, was not conclusive and further tests, including a toxicology 
test, will be conducted. Results were not expected for several weeks.

Isford was removed from life support Monday after being declared brain dead.

Isford, a student at Foothill High School, had taken Ecstasy, the 
hallucinogen ketamine, known as "Special K" and alcohol before collapsing 
early Sunday morning at a post-prom party in Santa Ana, police Sgt. 
Baltazar De La Riva said.

"We're trying to determine if drugs were provided to the victims or whether 
she voluntarily purchased the drugs, and where she purchased them," he said.

Isford's 27-year-old sister told The Orange County Register her sister had 
said she planned to take the drugs.

"She wanted to make it a perfect night," Star Isford told the newspaper.

She said she asked her sister not to take the drugs.

"I told her, 'be careful, watch what you do,'" Isford said.
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MAP posted-by: Beth