Texas A&M student from Frisco dies of apparent drug overdose

Police in College Station say a Texas A&M student from Frisco died of an apparent drug overdose at a fraternity house.

The university’s police department said in a statement that 19-year-old Anton Gridnev was found unresponsive early Saturday at the Sigma Nu house.

Police say just before 5 a.m., someone called 911 after Gridnev was found unconscious inside the front door of the fraternity house, believed to be suffering from an opioid overdose. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Investigators searched the house and cited several people for having drug paraphernalia. They arrested four Sigma Nu members for the possession of marijuana, LSD or other drugs.

Those arrested include Samuel Patterson, 21, Michael Frymire, 20, Christian Sandford, 18, and Ty Robertson, 21. According to Facebook, Frymire grew up in Dallas and Robertson grew up in Granbury.

Investigators say their focus will be on the death of Gridnev, who was a sophomore and had just moved into the fraternity house this semester.  It’s not clear what drug Gridnev ingested.

As a student at Heritage High Frisco, Gridnev was a 2015 honor graduate and also a national merit semi-finalist.

Principal Mark Mimms said Gridnev was a valued member of the Academic Decathlon team and an integral member of that team’s success.

Long-time drug counselor Veronica Sites said opioids are cheap, powerful addictive and extremely dangerous.

“It can get you a cheap high, and it can cost you your life,” the counselor said.

While it’s unclear what kind of opioid may have been involved, Sites said the range of other drugs found in the fraternity house is alarming.

"A cocktail, if you will, of selections,” Sites said. “And if any of those combinations, any were used in combination, it only accelerates the risk factor for a user, whether it's one time user or first time user."

Chris Yang first met Gridnev in sixth grade band. Yang also competed with on his high school's academic decathalon team.

"We lost a genius. Dude was so incredibly gifted and talented and smart," said Yang. "When he passed away, I could see the world lose so much intelligence."

The one thing Yang says Gridnev could not outsmart was drugs. He said he knew Gridnev smoked marijuana at parties in high school, but did not know he possibly experimented with more.

"I really wish I tried to steer him correctly" said Yang. "I really wish I could have done something."

The Sigma Nu chapter at Texas A&M has ceased its own activities for the time being. FOX 4 has not been able to reach any one with the Gridnev family for comment. 

Sigma Nu's national office issued a statement saying the fraternity will assist authorities with the investigation.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.