MASS. COLLEGE OF PHARMACY TO INVESTIGATE DRUG DEATHS

The Massachusetts College of Pharmacy says it will investigate whether any
of its students were involved in the deaths of two Framingham State College
students.

Eric Tyner, 20, of Plymouth, and Andrew D. Botti-Marino, 18, of Sturbridge,
both died of apparent drug overdoses at a Mission Hill apartment Tuesday.

According to published reports, the two may have smoked marijuana laced
with a lethal chemical. Boston police would not confirm that Friday, saying
the matter remains under investigation.

Dan Osgood, who lived in the apartment, called Boston police at about 6
p.m. Tuesday to report a drug-related emergency. He said one of the men was
in cardiac arrest.

Tyner, who graduated from Plymouth South High School with honors, was
visiting a high school friend who lived at the apartment. The friend is
reportedly studying pharmacology, possibly at the College of Pharmacy.

Robert Wholmes Jr., vice-president of legal affairs for the college, said
students would be punished if found to be involved.

Tyner, who was a sophomore at Framingham State College, worked summers and
weekends as an interpreter at Plimoth Plantation village. He had been
scheduled to work on Thanksgiving and this weekend.

An end-of-the-year celebration at the village scheduled for Sunday night
has been canceled. Instead, a memorial service for Tyner will be held at 7
p.m. Sunday. A reception will follow in the Plimoth Plantation visitors'
center.

Framingham State College plans a memorial service for both students on Dec.
3 at 1:30 p.m.

Peter Chisholm, assistant to the president of the college, said students
who haven't heard about the tragedy will be told on Monday, and counseling
will be available. "It's a very sad time for the college. From what I
understand, the two young men were very good students."

Chisholm said Tyner had transferred into the college this fall. He said
Tyner and Botti-Marino, a freshman, were not roommates, but both lived on
campus in Linsley Hall.

Boston police refused comment yesterday.

"There's nothing new in the case," said Boston police officer John Boyle.

Autopsies performed on the two students' bodies Wednesday found no visible
signs of trauma.

Boston police spokeswoman Brigitte Walsh said toxicology reports on the
case could take weeks, and that her department can not comment further
until the investigation is complete.