No Foul Play Suspected in Death of Reedley College Student
February 13, 2024 - Fresno County Sheriff's Office officials report that around 2:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 10th, State Center Community College District (SCCCD) Police requested the assistance of the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office regarding a death investigation.
SCCCD Police officers had responded to a dorm room located on the Reedley Community College campus to check the welfare of a person, later identified as 18-year-old Derek Burton. EMS immediately transported Burton to Reedley Adventist Hospital for treatment. This is where he ultimately passed away. Burton, who was from Sherwood, Oregon, was planning to join the college’s football team as an offensive lineman next season.
Homicide detectives with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation. They learned Burton had been drinking large amounts of alcohol throughout the course of the night in a dorm room where some of his friends were present. After Burton became non-responsive, those friends called for help.
Detectives have not found any evidence of foul play. They are awaiting the results of an autopsy and toxicology test to learn more about the circumstances of Burton’s death.
Source & photo: Fresno County Sheriff's Office
