Cause of Zalinski’s death still a mystery

By Brandi Watters, Herald Bulletin Staff Writer

January 07, 2009 09:28 pm

— SUMMITVILLE — It could be at least three weeks before police know what killed the Summitville man found in a drainage ditch near his wrecked truck on Monday.
An autopsy was performed Wednesday on 22-year-old Michael Zalinski, the Summitville man reported missing on Dec. 20 when he failed to come home after leaving a late-night party in Yorktown.
His girlfriend, Stephanie Shipley of Summitville, said Zalinski suffered from Crohn’s disease and depended on medication.
An employee of the town of Summitville was searching for Zalinski when he found the missing man’s truck in the center of a field between Indiana 28 and County Road 400 East.
Zalinski’s body was found in a log jam less than 100 feet from the truck.
Madison County Coroner Ned Dunnichay said on Wednesday that the medical examiner found no evidence of trauma or foul play on Zalinski’s body but the cause of death had not yet been determined.
Dunnichay must now wait for the results of a toxicology report, which may take three to four weeks.
Zalinski was reportedly intoxicated when he left the Yorktown party on Dec. 20, according to police who interviewed those in attendance at the party.
Yorktown police said no charges have been filed against those at the party who knew that Zalinski was reportedly drunk when he left the party with the intention of driving home.
Despite being unable to release the findings of the autopsy, Dunnichay said hypothermia and drowning had not been ruled out in the death. “The thing to keep in mind (is that) it was very cold and when anyone gets in that situation and they’re in cold water, especially if they can’t get out, they’re in trouble. It doesn’t take long for either drowning or hypothermia.”
Dunnichay said he could not disclose if water was found in Zalinski’s lungs.