Police Confirm Death at 33rd & O Streets NW

UPDATED at noon, April 26.

The Sunday morning discovery of a death at 1401 33rd St. NW stunned the quiet Georgetown neighborhood just as church was letting out. It is suspected but not yet confirmed that the deceased was Georgetown University student Edward Blatz., Jr.

The Metropolitan Police Department confirmed that there was a death report Sunday, April 24, at 1401 33rd St. NW. “This matter is currently being investigated as a death report,” MPD Second District Commander Melvin Gresham told The Georgetowner in an email. “There were no unusual circumstances involved at this point.”

On April 26, Aquita Brown, a public affairs specialist for the Metropolitan Police Department, confirmed to The Georgetowner that the death which occurred April 24 at 1401 33rd Street NW was that of Edward Blatz, Jr.

The white house at the northeast corner of 33rd and O Streets has been a group house for at least seven years, according to one neighbor. It is believed that the house is occupied by students from Georgetown University, four blocks to the west. Another neighbor said that a male student who was on the lacrosse team had overdosed and died. A person familiar with the case said that the student’s death may have been caused by a combination of prescription drugs and alcohol.

Late Sunday afternoon, one of Georgetown University’s student newspapers, the Hoya reported: “Edward Blatz, Jr., a junior on the men’s lacrosse team, died early Sunday, according to a university-wide email sent by Vice President for Student Affairs Todd Olson this afternoon. Known to many as ‘Eddie,’ Blatz played defense on the lacrosse team. . . . The cause of death has not been announced as of press time.”

Jeanne Lord, associate vice president of student affairs at Georgetown University, was seen entering the 33rd Street house midday. A young couple was seen at a nearby corner visibly upset.

MPD closed off 33rd Street north of O Street for a time.