A 21-year-old Durango man was found dead Saturday in the 1200 block of Florida Road.
The man was identified as Tyrell DeGuelle.
DeGuelle’s death was possibly the result of a drug and alcohol overdose, said La Plata County Coroner Jann Smith.
His family’s not so sure about the cause of death because of DeGuelle’s history with diabetes. They are waiting for the results of the autopsy, which is scheduled to be conducted Wednesday. A toxicology report, which typically takes three weeks to complete, will also reveal more about the cause of death.
“Ty has been diabetic since he was 4,” his father, Roger DeGuelle, said. “A lot of people would think he was drunk, when really his blood sugar was too high or too low, and that’s what that looks like. His diabetes affected his behavior.”
DeGuelle had Type 1 diabetes, formerly called juvenile diabetes, and had to administer insulin every time he ate, his father said.
“From what I can tell, he went into a diabetic coma,” Roger DeGuelle said. “I don’t know what else may have happened that may have contributed to his death, but he was a 21-year-old college kid. I don’t think the coroner should say it was a drug overdose without proof.”
Tyrell DeGuelle was found unconscious, not breathing and cold to the touch about 3:30 p.m. Saturday in an apartment at the Butterfield Stage condominiums, said detective Sgt. Deck Shaline of the Durango Police Department.
His roommates were the last to see him alive about 6:30 a.m. Saturday, Shaline said.
No foul play is suspected.
“It sounds like he was alone during the day,” he said. “His roommates were not present.”
Smith said DeGuelle attended a party where he apparently used cocaine and ecstasy. He had not been feeling well leading up to his death, she said.
Ty DeGuelle, a junior at Fort Lewis College, was majoring in environmental studies. He grew up in Craig, but his parents are both from Durango. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing the guitar and hanging out with his friends.
shane@durangoherald.com
