HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016 05-23 North High senior had been drinking before her death, police say PIONEER PRESS5/26/2016
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North High senior was drinking before death, police say
seniorNorth High * •
before her death, police say
By SSIIIRX:J II1011llfll"IR I shorner@pioneerpress.com and JkHKIIIIII 11 1111]" AGIIIIIII I jdelage@pioneerpress.com
May 23, 2016 1 UPDATED: 3 days ago
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The death of a North St. Paul high school student hours after she attended her senior prom cast weekend remains
under investigation.
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5/26/2016
Ainina..Jaslku. ka (Su.nbir teed photo)
North High senior was drinking before death, police say
Anna Jaskulka's parents brought her back home to Maplewood from her pram on Saturday night, When they
checked on her later, she was unresponsive, and they called 911.
Police believe Jaskulka, 18, had been drinking that night, but they do not know if she ingested other substances,
said Maplewood Police Chief Paul Schnell on Monday.
"We are hopeful that (through) our investigation we will be able to ascertain if there were other substances in her
system and (if so), what those were and where she gat them," Schnell said. "We have been able to confirm that she
had been drinking."
Jaskulka's cause of death may prove unrelated to chemicals potentially ingested Saturday evening, he added.
Her autopsy and toxicology reports are pending.
When police arrived at 11:08 p.m., only a few minutes after Jaskulka's parents' 911 call, the young woman was in
full cardiac arrest, police reported.
Schnell said he was in touch with Jaskulka's parents on Sunday. He said they are "devastated."
Jaskulka's family could not be reached for comment Monday.
Schnell advised caution for area high school students as the school year comes to an end.
"We always talk about these potential tragedies and this was certainly one of the tragedies we would hope any
community and certainly any parent would avoid," Schnell said. "Our heart goes out to them and we only hope that
(Anna's) death serves as a reminder, as we exit pram season and enter graduation season, of the importance of
making really goad decisions."
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North High senior was drinking before death, police say
North St. Paul/Maplewood/Oakdale school district officials emailed high school families Sunday about JaskuIka's
passing.
Extra staff was available Monday to help students' process their emotions, said North High Principal Greg Nelson.
"Obviously, there are students who are really, really hurting," he said. "I would say there has been a modest, steady
flaw who are expressing themselves and talking things through."
Jaskulka was a "vibrant student" who left an impression on those who knew her, Nelson added.
"She wasn't a real high-profile athlete or a lead actor.... I just remember a happy-go-lucky, really neat kid," Nelson
said. "That is the overriding image for her.... She was a high school kid who had friends and was celebrating her
senior year."
Jaskulka was slated to graduate alongside classmates June 8.
A family friend described the teen as a sweetheart.
"This was a tragedy," said Daryn Lovdokken, whose daughter was close to Jaskulka. "Anna was the biggest
sweetheart, and our family, along with many other people, cared very deeply about her. None of what has
happened really seems real and its going to take a long time to accept it. Anna's smile and laugh brightened our
home, and I'm sure others, many times over the years."
After school on Monday, senior Dakota Caron, 17, said many of her classmates spent the day remembering Jaskulka
as a kind-hearted person.
"She had a goad spirit," Caron said.
Caron last saw Jaskulka at pram Saturday night, although she didn't talk with her.
"She seemed OK," Caron said. "It seemed like she was having fun."
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North High senior was drinking before death, police say
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Junior Molly Erickson, 17, described the atmosphere at school Monday as depressing. Nevertheless, she
remembers Jaskulka's humor.
"She could always make you laugh," she said. "Shejust always had a goad attitude."
Freshman Anthony Peabody, 15, said he first gat to know Jaskulka when he literally bumped into her in the school
hallway. They started talking and soon became close friends. He said she laved her cat and her alder brother. He
said he felt like a little brother.
"She was like a sister," he said. "I could tell her stuff and she'd keep it a secret."
Junior Gabby Bayles 17, said she heard school officials were going to put a rase on Jaskulka's chair at graduation.
"I think that's nice," Bayles said. "I think she would like that, too."
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