Foul play ruled out in man's death
Photo 
Edward M. Smith
JANESVILLE — Cold, alcohol or some combination of the two probably was responsible for the death of a Janesville man.
Edward M. Smith, 26, was found Friday in a wooded area behind the Little League baseball fields near Prairie Avenue and Mayapple Drive. Police do not suspect foul play.
"The toxicology results aren't back yet, but it will probably be hypothermia or alcohol or a combination of both," Janesville Police Department Lt. Tim Hiers said Monday. "There are no signs of blunt trauma or internal injuries."
Smith and three friends were in the area drinking alcohol at 9:30 p.m. Thursday when police told them to leave, Hiers said.
Police then left the group to respond to a call of shots fired in the Look West neighborhood, he said.
Smith's friends left, but he stayed behind, Hiers said.
One friend returned Friday morning to get a backpack the group had left behind, found Smith dead and called police.
Investigators have interviewed everyone who was with Smith on Thursday night, and collected evidence at the scene all day Friday, Deputy Chief David Moore said.
Unexplained or suspicious deaths always are investigated as crimes, even though the cause of death might later turn out to be something else, Hiers said.
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Mar 25, 2009 at 1:42 p.m.
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even so if he did not want to go, there is the one unwritten rule when you are out drinking with buddies no one left behind because anything bad can happen. i have been out with friends and i am usually the sober one and yes i know arguing with drunk people who never want to cooperate (sp?) is not fun but i have never just been like okay you are drunk you are not listening you are on your own. i do feel bad for the other friends who were with him as well because this is something they will have to live with for the rest of their lives. Drinking is meant to be a social enjoyment but it is always taken to the extreme and there is nothing good that ever comes out of being completely drunk and in my opinion because of all the awful things that happen while people are drunk it is as bad as taking illegal drugs it is just as harmful because people don't know how to control themselves or know when enough is enough
Mar 24, 2009 at 4:39 p.m.
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i meant condolences, pardon my error
Mar 24, 2009 at 4:35 p.m.
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my consolences to edward smiths family and friends. im very sorry for your loss of your friend and loved one.
Mar 24, 2009 at 1:54 p.m.
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caarlito: your words are correct I just don't know what it has to do with THIS story, he wasn't coming off of alcohol, he had too much of it. He is a good guy with a few problems which I will not talk about but look in his eyes there is obvious pain and I just pray he was happy in the last moments. One thing is I myself wonder what kind of friends would leave him alone but at the same time knowing Ed he couldv'e told them he was gonna stay back for a while he did keep to himself alot. My condolenses to the family I can't imagine what they are going through right now the only thing I could say is he's probably happier now and in peace where he's at, no pain doing some bowling: ) god bless
Mar 23, 2009 at 9:41 p.m.
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I don't understand why a 26 year old would have to be at a place like that to drink. Must have been a few other reasons.
Mar 23, 2009 at 8:42 p.m.
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Ed used to be a regular where I tended bar a while ago. He definitely marched to the beat of his own drum and was a very sweet person. I'm Sorry I wasn't there to give you a ride home this time Edward, hope you are happy wherever you are.
Mar 23, 2009 at 7:44 p.m.
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One other note and alcohol is legal.
Mar 23, 2009 at 7:43 p.m.
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Maybe this is a photo his family had who knows doesn't look like a mug shot to me looks like a picture. My prayers with the family and people worry about "drugs" taking a life well alcohol is just as deadly and can due more damage then certain drugs. It is the only one you can actually die from in withdrawls. Most other drugs you die from over dosing on with alcohol you can die a week to 10 days after not drinking. I have seen people die in detox from alcohol several days after admission and have seen the horrible painful withdrawls of heroin and meth but have not seen death as a result during withdrawl. I know several people who have died from overdoses on drugs. Just my input with some experience behind it.
Mar 23, 2009 at 4:51 p.m.
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Nice friends to leave him alone on a cold night of drinking. With friends like that, who needs enemies?
Mar 23, 2009 at 1:57 p.m.
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It is a legitimate question as it certainly doesn't look like a normal obituary picture. It is unfortunate he is gone so young and I feel for the family. His history of trouble finally took his life. It is a shame.
Mar 23, 2009 at 12:53 p.m.
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Joker..the gazette picture is the same picture they used for his obituary.
Mar 23, 2009 at 12:50 p.m.
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my prayers go out to the family and friends, i just have one question if they were all drinking and hanging out why did they just leave him behind by himself?
Mar 23, 2009 at 12:44 p.m.
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I am so, so sorry that such a young man had to die. How traumatic for everyone involved.
Mar 23, 2009 at 11:41 a.m.
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SarahB1 - what good would the county detox have done? By the time anyone found him, he was already gone.
Mar 23, 2009 at 11:30 a.m.
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No Hannah, I am not trying to stir things up. I asked the question due to the Gazette's use of photos for certain articles. The picture looks like a mug shot. I would think that there was a better picture of this young man.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family too.
Mar 23, 2009 at 10:53 a.m.
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Again, my thoughts and prayers are with his family. I hope it gives some peace to know that no one intentionally harmed him. May God bless you.
Mar 23, 2009 at 10:32 a.m.
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The Joker wasn't rude it was a plain question, you were rude in your answer to hem.
Mar 23, 2009 at 10:10 a.m.
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How did the Gazette get this picture? Has he been in the paper before?
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