Robert Brasier, a 19-year-old UW freshman, passed away Wednesday night in his room in McMahon Hall.

The McMahon housing staff had not seen Brasier since the previous day and called the UWPD to check up on him; by the time the door was forced open however, Brasier was already dead.

"[That] night at 7:23 we received a call from the housing staff to do a welfare check," said Ray Wittmier, assistant police chief of the UWPD. "The room was locked and dead-bolted. We called the Seattle Fire Department to come in and assist us. They came up with a mechanical device and popped the door open. Inside, there was a male student. The medics checked him and declared him deceased."

Brasier's roommate was away at his parents' house when the body was discovered, Wittmier said.

The roommate left Tuesday after his classes, Wittmier said.

According to the King County Medical Examiner's office, the cause of death is still pending.

Wittmier said that several causes can be deemed unlikely, however.

"There was no sign of foul play and the student was not sick prior to his death," Wittmier said. "It also doesn't appear to be a suicide."

The UWPD collected several things from Frasier's room, which Wittmier said could help uncover how he died.

"We have collected some items for evidence but as long as the case is open, I can't talk about it," Wittmier said.

According to gohuskies.com, the Official UW Athletics Web site, Brasier was both an accomplished athlete and scholar.

He earned three varsity letters pitching at Ball High School in Galveston, Texas, made second-team all-district and all-county as a junior, was a member of the 2003 Texas State USSSA 18U Champions, was a National Merit Scholar, earned an Advanced Placement Scholar award and graduated high school with a 4.2 GPA.

Brasier also played baseball for the UW until January, when he was dismissed from the team, said associate athletic director Richard Kilwien.

The athletic department is not saying why he was dismissed out of respect for his family.

Despite his dismissal from the team, Brasier was still close with both the baseball team and staff.

"Our team, the coaching and athletics department staff and the entire University community are terribly saddened at the tragic death of a teammate and friend," Athletic Director Todd Turner said. "Our immediate concern is for his family, his teammates and the baseball coaching staff. We will do everything we can to support them in this most difficult of times."

An investigation is currently underway by both the UWPD and the King County Medical Examiner's Office, which could last as long as 10 weeks, Wittmier said.

Students are encouraged to speak with a Resident Advisor, Resident Director or other residential life staff members for support. Counselors at the UW Counseling Center are also available.

Reach reporter Camden Swita at news@thedaily.washington.edu.