The death of an ISU student found in his residence hall room in October has been ruled accidental by state medical examiners.

Michael Babicz, senior in business, died of acute drug intoxication, said ISU Police Capt. Gene Deisinger. A large amount of dextromethorphan, a drug commonly found in cough medications, was found in the tissues of Babicz’s body, Deisinger said.

“We found evidence at the scene to indicate it was an accidental drug overdose,” Deisinger said.

Police found a small white bottle of powder which lab tests confirmed was dextromethorphan. Traces of the drug were also found in a pitcher and drinking glass taken from Babicz’s residence hall room, 5542 Friley Hall.

Police also found literature about the drug and its uses in Babicz’s room, Deisinger said. “We found no indications of suicide or intentional death,” he said.

Deisinger said Babicz appeared to be a private person, but there was no evidence of depression.

Babicz received the bottle of pure dextromethorphan several weeks before his death, Deisinger said. “We were able to trace the purchase of [dextromethorphan] by Mr. Babicz to a chemical retailer from the Midwest,” he said.

Dextromethorphan is a legal substance that can be used to produce hallucinations and euphoria. Deisinger said the drug also produces a variety of side effects including irregular heartbeat, confusion, loss of consciousness, brain damage and death.

Veronica McGee, Hy-Vee pharmacist, said symptoms would develop rapidly if a person overdosed on dextromethorphan. She said she had never heard of people using the drug in a pure form.