Investigators Says Yellow Jacket Pitcher Michael Hutts Died From Accidental Drug Overdose

May 7, 2008 8:28 a.m. EST

Atlanta, Georgia (AHN) - The death of a Georgia Tech pitcher last month was said to have been caused by an accidental drug overdose, though the involvement of heroin is yet to be determined, according to the medical examiner's office on Monday.

Michael Hutts, 21, was found dead by his teammate and roommate Ryan Tinkoff inside his room non-responsive and with a "purplish" arm. Tinkoff told the police that Hutts and friends had been drinking on April 10 before a visit from a friend who "was known to use heroin, possibly with Mr. Hutts," according to the police report. A statement from Fulton County's chief medical examiner, Randy Hanzlick, shows that Hutts could have been a victim of accidental morphine toxicity.

"At present, there is insufficient information to determine which pill(s) or substance(s) may have been taken to account for the morphine detected in the autopsy samples," Hanzlick said in his statement. "The answer to that question may remain unknown. At present, a substance typically found when heroin has been used has not been detected in the autopsy samples tested to date, but additional tests will be conducted."

Morphine, a naturally occurring substance extracted from the seed pod of certain varieties of poppy plants, is the source of heroin after being processed, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Aside from empty cans of beer found inside the victim's apartment, investigators also collected a bottle of liquor and a bottle of pain pills from the 21-year-old management major, who made the dean's list last year, according to the police report.

Prior to his death, Hutts, assigned as the team's reliever threw two scoreless innings against North Carolina, allowing only one hit on April 6. He had a total of nine appearances for Georgia Tech this year.