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UNC Student Dies After Jumping From Balcony

GREELEY, Colo. (CBS4)- A student at the University of Northern Colorado has died after he jumped off his fraternity house balcony. Ross Higuchi, 18, died at North Colorado Medical Center Tuesday.

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Ross Higuchi (credit: Facebook)

The autopsy has been completed, but the cause and manner of Higuchi's death has not been released. Higuchi hit his head when he landed on the ground after jumping.

Police were called to his fraternity house, Delta Tau Delta, after a party at about 1 a.m. Saturday. They found Higuchi unconscious on the ground in front of the house.

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Delta Tau Delta fraternity at UNC (credit: CBS)

"Apparently this individual had been drinking, was intoxicated and at some point in time, just decided to jump off of the balcony," said Greeley Police Sergeant Joe Tymkowych.

There is a substantial railing around the second floor balcony. Witnesses told police the doors leading to the balcony were locked and Higuchi forced his way to the balcony, sparking a heated discussion with his fraternity brothers.

"It does not appear as though he was despondent in any way. As far as we can tell at this point in time, there was no reason for him to want to jump other than maybe it was a little bit of alcohol," said Tymkowych.

Higuchi was a freshman at UNC. He graduated from Smoky Hill High School in May 2010. Friends say he was a kicker for the football team and a varsity wrestler. Delta Tau Delta said Higuchi joined the fraternity in October.

Police are investigating where the teenager got the alcohol. The university is also conducting its own investigation.

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