Autopsy shows drugs in UA student's blood
A Pima County medical examiner yesterday confirmed that a former UA graduate student whose body was found at Sabino Canyon in February had "fatal levels" of anti-depressants in his system.
Cynthia Porterfield, a Pima County medical examiner, said she found a mixture of four anti-depressant prescription drugs, including Prozac, in Greg W. Huckins' blood.
Porterfield said the amount of drugs found in Huckins' blood stream affected his nervous system and essentially stopped brain functions.
Huckins, 36, an ecology and evolutionary biology graduate student, reportedly left his house Feb. 18 for a hike near Hutches Pool in Sabino Canyon. Huckins left a note telling his wife where he went, Pima County sheriffs officials said.
Family members became concerned and called police after Huckins missed an appointment to pick up a relative.
After a 23-hour search, a hiker came across Huckins' body Feb. 19 and notified authorities.
The preliminary autopsy report did not indicate a cause of death and police reported no signs of struggle.
Pima County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Brad Foust said he did not suspect foul play in Huckins' death. Foust added that Huckins had a history of depression and police considered in February that he may have committed suicide.
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