Sophomore Jake Stiles is crowned ‘Mr. University’ at the Pi Beta Phi philanthropy event. The medical examiner released its report on Stiles’ death Wednesday.

Sophomore Jake Stiles died from a lethal cocktail of an expensive prescription pain killer, cocaine and alcohol according to a report from the Dallas County Medical Examiner.

Stiles was found dead in his room inside the Sigma Alpha Epsilon house on Dec. 2.

The pain killer, fentanyl, is a synthetic opiate used by cancer patients to relieve pain, specifically when they have problems swallowing. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, fentanyl is nearly 80 times more potent than morphine and can be more than 100 times more potent than heroin.

The drug was little known until this summer, when a spat of fentanyl related deaths in Chicago, Detroit and elsewhere in the Midwest created publicity about the lethality of the drug.

SMU officials have not said if or when a University investigation into the death will occur, but did release a statement to the media. Vice President for Student Affairs Jim Caswell said, “We are deeply saddened by this news. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the Stiles family and Jake’s friends. SMU considers the well being of its students in everything we do, and certainly our drug and alcohol prevention programs are geared toward keeping our students well informed. Drug and alcohol problems among young people are an issue nationwide. SMU will continue to be vigilant in our education and prevention programs.”

Fentanyl comes in the form of a patch, lollipop or powder and can be smoked, snorted or used intravenously. Overdoses can result in sudden death through respiratory arrest, heart attack or cardiovascular collapse.

According to the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy there have been 653 fentanyl-related deaths confirmed throughout the United States since 2005.

This story was posted December 20, 2006.