A drug overdose has been determined by medical examiners to be what caused the death of a 23-year-old psychology senior.

John Cornelius Eckhold III was discovered dead by his father on April 20 in his East Lansing apartment.

Eckhold's father decided to visit his son when he hadn't heard from him for a few days.

Neighbors last reported seeing Eckhold alive at 3:30 p.m. on April 19.

Eckhold lived in Woodside Apartments, located on the corner of Haslett Road and Woodside Drive.

Ingham County Chief Medical Examiner Dennis Jurczak said Eckhold used cocaine, methadone (an opiate similar to morphine) and Valium.

The death is being ruled accidental, Jurczak said.

East Lansing police Capt. Juli Liebler said this behavior is rare in students.

"I can't even remember the last time we had a drug overdose from a college student," Liebler said.

University Physician Beth Alexander said the student demographic is more geared toward using the sort of drugs Eckhold used.

"Drug use is most common in white upper- and middle-class," Alexander said. "Particularly prescription abuse."

Alexander speculated Valium might have been used to counteract the after effects of the cocaine.

"Coke gives you euphoria," Alexander said. "Valium is calm and relaxing and makes you feel very mellow."

Alexander said methadone works similar to heroin or as a narcotic pain killer.