Teen's death caused by nitrous oxide while inhaling 'whip-its'; ruled accidental

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (WJAC) — The Centre County coroner has released the final results of an autopsy following the death of a 17-year-old boy in State College.

According to a news release, John "Jack" Schoenig died of chemical asphyxia from inhaling nitrous oxide. Schoenig died Oct. 19 while visiting the State College area.

State College police responded to home along West College Avenue sometime around 9:30 p.m. for reports of an unconscious person. Police say Schoenig was unresponsive and not breathing when officers and emergency medical services personnel arrived. They were unable to resuscitate him, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Six weeks after an autopsy was performed, the county coroner confirmed that Schoenig had traces of nitrous oxide in his blood with no measurable amounts of alcohol.

Police say during their investigation they determined that Schoenig was inhaling the chemicals by using "whip-its", a cartridge of nitrous oxide used to charge whipping cream dispensers and also used as an anesthetic commonly known as laughing gas. Authorities ruled his death accidental.

Although serious injuries and death are not a common result of inhaling nitrous oxide, death and serious injuries are a known medical risk when ingested in high doses or with repetitive use, according to the release.

“Tragically, the death of Mr. Schoenig illustrates the life threatening ramifications that inhaling nitrous oxide can have,” said Centre County District Attorney Bernie Cantorna. “It is important that our young people and our community understand the risk that this drug poses."

Authorities say Pennsylvania's "Drug Overdose Response Immunity" statute provides immunity from prosecution to those who render aid and stay with a person until first responders arrive. Given these statutes and the fact that the residents stayed with Schoenig until authorities arrived, no charges will be filed in this case, according to the release.

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