The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office has determined the cause of death for a 23-year-old veterinary student who was found dead near Wicker Park after a night out with friends last month.
Christian Law, 23, had just arrived home for winter break when he and friends went to Kashmir nightclub on December 13 before heading to a house party, his family told NBC Chicago at Christmastime.
At about 9:30 a.m. on December 14, a dog walker found Law lying outside, unresponsive, without a coat, in the 1100 block of North Milwaukee Avenue. He was pronounced dead later that morning.
NBC Chicago’s report last month said Law’s phone, identification, and credit cards were initially missing but were later found.
In findings released this week, the medical examiner determined that Law died from alcohol and cocaine toxicity, with hypothermia due to exposure to environmental cold as a contributing factor. The office ruled his death an accident.
Law’s godmother, Kimberly Lightford, the Illinois Senate majority leader, spoke publicly about his death last month.
“He was a fine young man, I mean very disciplined. Very focused, kind, loving, pretty much did everything his mother told him to do—just all-around good guy,” Lightford told NBC Chicago.
“I know he wouldn’t hurt anybody, and for him to suffer that way is so hurtful,” she said.
“We lost such an amazing person who had a lot to give to society. He will be missed tremendously,” Lightford added. “I know that she’s [mom] is not going to stop until she gets justice for Christian.”
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