The September death of former MSU football co-captain Brian Ottney has been ruled a suicide, according to officials at the Los Angeles County Department of Coroners.
The report said Ottney's death was caused by the ingestion of a medication called diphenhydramine and liquor, said a spokesman for the coroner's office.
A Web site through the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health lists diphenhydramine as an over-the-counter medication used to induce sleep, treat motion sickness and relieve skin irritation. It can come in various forms, including tablets, capsules or liquids.
Ottney died Sept. 1 in Long Beach, Calif., after a seizure-like episode. He was in Long Beach working for Centex Homes, a California-based national construction firm.
The former Spartans lineman came to MSU in 1999 after graduating from Troy High School. He redshirted his first season but went on to enjoy success with the team, twice being named the team's top offensive lineman.
Ottney decided not to return for his final year of eligibility after multiple knee injuries. He received his bachelor's degree in building construction management in May.
At the time of his death, he was engaged to be married to former MSU softball player Lacy Hauxhurst.
