On Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016 at approximately 1:00 pm, the Boone Police Department responded to 196 Oak Street, Unit #10, to check the welfare of the resident of that apartment. Officers located a deceased individual inside the apartment. The deceased has been identified as Daniel Lewis Fritz, 27, of 196 Oak Street. Mr. Fritz was a current Appalachian State University student and lived alone at this address.
Boone Police Department Investigators responded to the scene and began an investigation. Boone Investigators requested the assistance of Appalachian State University Police Investigator during the initial phase of this investigation. Many interviews were conducted as an investigation of the scene began.
Once inside this apartment, investigators located several items that can be used to manufacture the drug known as “DMT.” DMT is a hallucinogenic drug that is gaining popularity among the college age population of the United States. Investigators stopped their investigation of the crime scene and called the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI). The NCSBI Clandestine Laboratory Response Team responded to the scene. As a precaution, the residents of the apartment building were asked to relocate until the NCSBI completed their work at the scene. The NCSBI properly removed all items that could be hazardous to health and the death scene investigation was completed.
Investigators have seen no signs of foul play. An autopsy was completed today at Baptist Hospital in Winston Salem, NC. Investigators are awaiting the full autopsy and toxicology reports to help determine the cause of death