Palmer teen found dead after party

PALMER -- Joshua Crosby woke up Tuesday morning after a big party at his parents' house in Palmer to find his friend lying on the floor dead, Alaska State Troopers reported.

Brian D. Falwell, 19, died the night before from unknown causes, said Trooper Michael Burkmire. Crosby, whose parents were out of town, hosted a party Monday night that drew between 30 and 40 people to his parents' house on Bindford Boulevard in Palmer. The party lasted nearly seven hours, Burkmire said.

Investigators have interviewed nearly half of those who attended the party, but troopers still don't have a clear idea of what happened to Falwell that night. Troopers are in the process of tracking down and interviewing everyone present that night, but so far have found no leads.

"Nobody had really seen him or was paying attention," Burkmire said. "When [Crosby] woke up in the morning his friend was dead on the ground and he doesn't know how it happened."

Troopers said Crosby checked Falwell's pulse Tuesday morning and, finding none, immediately called troopers. Burkmire said Falwell was dead when he arrived at the scene.

Falwell's body was transported to the state Medical Examiner's Office for an autopsy and blood tests, the results of which could take up to six weeks to process. Falwell's blood will be tested for drug and alcohol levels and the results should shed more light on the events leading up to his death, Burkmire said.

Crosby told troopers alcohol and marijuana were present at the party that night. Burkmire said he believed Falwell's death was caused by excessive alcohol consumption, as there was no trauma to Falwell's body.

Troopers do not suspect any foul play was involved, but an investigation is continuing.

Contact John Davidson at john.davidson@frontiersman.com.