The University of California, Davis, police department is awaiting results from lab analysis of a knife found by police when the body of Andrew Wieman was discovered in his fraternity room on campus Jan. 4.
The Yolo County Coroner's Office performed an autopsy and determined Jan. 5 that Wieman, 20, of Eureka, died of stab wounds to the neck and chest. It has not yet been determined whether his death was a suicide or homicide.
The police department is awaiting results of the knife analysis being performed by the Department of Justice. Results of the Justice Department's analysis of a note found at the scene are also pending.
Capt. Rita Spaur of the police department said that tests performed by the coroner's office determined that the wounds to Wieman's body are consistent with the type of knife found at the scene. However, Spaur added, it is unknown at this time whether the knife was the weapon used to inflict the wounds that caused Wieman's death.
The UC Davis police department is continuing to conduct interviews and follow-up interviews with family, friends and others to determine Wieman's whereabouts and activities between the time he was reportedly last seen early Jan. 2 and the time his body was discovered.
Supervising Deputy Coroner Mary Koompin-Williams said her office expects to receive the results of toxicological tests Friday afternoon. She added that the coroner's office is working with the Justice Department to process evidence and is also continuing to conduct interviews.
In an open letter to the campus community this week, Calvin Handy, chief of the UC Davis police department and Carol Wall, vice chancellor for student affairs, said they don't believe there is reason for community members to have unusual concern for their personal safety.
"We do encourage you, always, to be vigilant, to be aware of your surroundings and mindful of those around you and, if concerned, to call the campus police at 752-1230," they wrote.
The Kappa Sigma fraternity will hold a memorial service for Wieman at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, in Room 194 of the Chemistry Building. The family will hold a service in Eureka tomorrow.
Media Resources
Julia Ann Easley, General news (emphasis: business, K-12 outreach, education, law, government and student affairs), 530-752-8248, jaeasley@ucdavis.edu