ISU junior's cause of death unknown

An autopsy will be performed at 8 a.m. today to determine the cause of death of ISU junior David Elsrod, 21, who died Saturday in his Village Quarter apartment, said Dr. Roland Kohr, forensic pathologist and medical examiner for 15 area counties.

ISU junior legal studies major Andy Parker was Elsrod's roommate and said he found Elsrod dead on the couch, where he had fallen asleep the night before.

Parker said he and Elsrod stayed in Friday night playing Playstation, and both fell asleep on the couches. Parker said he woke up because Elsrod was snoring loudly and went into his room, leaving Elsrod asleep in the living room.

Parker said Sunday he doesn't know how Elsrod could have died.

"I wish I knew," he said. "I have no idea."

Elsrod was from Centerville, Ind., and graduated from Centerville High School in 2001. He was initiated into Alpha Tau Omega fraternity in February, said Will Lacey, ATO president.

"He was just kind of like a gentle giant," Lacey said. "He was a friend and a [fraternity] brother at the same time."

ATO member Wade Lockerby laughed as he described Elsrod's huge Dodge diesel truck and his grisly beard.

"He was a country boy," ATO member Aaron Jones said. "He was a hunter, a fisherman, all that good stuff."

Another strong passion Elsrod had was flying. Jones said he had just received his Commercial Pilot's License and was going to start working on his Flight Instructor's Certificate.

ATO member Travis Kendall said, "He was just a laid back country boy that loved to fly."

Parker said Elsrod used to take him flying, and they would often fly back home to Centerville together.

Parker, who had known Elsrod since they were children and had grown up with him, said he was very personable, had a lot of friends and a huge heart.

"He was the kind of guy who would do anything for you," Parker said through tears.

The ATO fraternity's formal was in Indianapolis Friday night, and the majority of the fraternity was there.

Jones said Elsrod didn't plan to attend.

Parent's Day was Sunday at the ATO house and John Newton, executive director of ISU's Alumni Affairs and ATO Chapter Advisor, said he addressed the fraternity members and their parents about Elsrod's death. Newton spoke with Elsrod's mother on Sunday also.

"It's tough," he said, of how the family is doing. "They have gone through one stage of emotions, and they're making plans."

Newton said he thinks the fraternity members will help each other through the grieving, as they were Sunday evening sitting on the front porch of the ATO house and reminiscing together.

"We're kind of watching them [fraternity members] close right now," Newton said. "I think individually they'll work with one another. What we'll do is kind of keep an eye out for that individual who is kind of taking it tough."

Newton said Elsrod was, "kind of quiet, a big bear of a guy."

Newton said he looked like a football player, but was sensitive too.

"There was something about him that I think the first time I met him, I realize he was not a rough and tough guy," Newton said.

Ryan Shaw, who was ATO's president last year and was close to Elsrod, is in Missouri doing military service right now and he informed the fraternity of the death.

Cierria Oldham, an ISU student, also graduated from high school with Elsrod.

"He liked sports," she said. "He liked to party. He liked to be around people. He was always trying to make sure everybody had a good time."

Jones agreed with Oldham.

"He would do anything for anybody," he said. "He always looked out or other people before he looked out for himself."

Jones said the fraternity members are still in shock right now.

"It's one of those things that you can't really believe it," he said. "You just don't believe it happened."

Lacey said the reality hasn't really hit yet, but said he knows it will when the fraternity members attend Elsrod's funeral. The majority of ATO members are pilots, and Lacey said they are going to all fly to Richmond, Ind., for his funeral.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Holy Family Catholic Church in Richmond.

Memorials can be made to the David Karl Elsrod Scholarship Fund at Centerville High School, located at 115 W. South Street, Centerville, Ind., 47330.

Lacey said the ATO fraternity is planning on holding a vigil in Elsrod's honor later this week.

Parker said he doesn't plan on returning to ISU to finish the semester or take summer classes. He plans on moving his stuff out of the apartment and breaking the lease because he said he can't go back into the apartment.