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South Pasadena High School senior Aydin Salek died Saturday night, and news of the teen's death spread quickly through the community. The SPHS high school website describes Salek was "a well-regarded campus leader" who was heavily involved in campus activities, including "as a writer for The Tiger, as President of the American Cancer Society Club on campus, and as the Commissioner of Internal Affairs (CIA). As CIA, Aydin was the student liaison to the South Pasadena School Board."The school notes: "According to the South Pasadena Police Department, Aydin's death was presumed to be due to an alcohol overdose, not related to driving." For fear speculation regarding the student's death would cause confusion and additional hardship on his family and friends, SPHS has asked " for sensitivity in the form of rumor control," and they plan to share "any pertinent information...with students and adults as it comes to our attention." They have set up a memorial on campus and have counselors available for grieving classmates.
This weekend Aydin was in attendance at a party in Altadena, Principal Janet Anderson explains to LA Now.
There was a $5 cover charge at the party, district officials said. Salek apparently had been drinking at the party, said school board President Richard Sonner. Those at the party said he appeared fine about 10 p.m. but that he passed out about 10:45 p.m., Sonner said.
