Coroner identifies Los Altos High student who died in a ‘potential fentanyl poisoning’

A Los Altos High School student has died in what the Mountain View Police Department is calling a “potential fentanyl poisoning.”

The County of Santa Clara Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office identified the student as Lauren Brierly. Few details about the death have been released by law enforcement or school officials. Citing an ongoing investigation in its early stages, the Police Department said in a Friday, April 1, press release that it would not yet be naming the student or giving other details.

“Please know we are working as quickly and thoroughly as possible to get you more information and to find out how this tragedy occurred,” Mountain View police said. “As soon as we can share more, we will.”

Law enforcement officials don’t yet know how the student obtained the drug, nor whether other students may be in possession of narcotics, the press release stated. Police are urging parents to talk with their children about the dangers of illicit drug use.

“We know that a family is grieving, that a school community is grieving, and that we have pulled in every available resource to try and bring justice to the student and their family,” police said.

In a message to families on Friday afternoon, the Mountain View Los Altos Union High School District shared the news of the death, as well as offer grief support resources for students and staff in the coming week, the district said. Students may also reach out to their counselor or an administrator for help. More resources are available at kara-grief.org or allcove.org/centers/palo-alto.

“We know that any loss, particularly that of a young person, is tragic,” the school district said. “Our sincere condolences go out to the student’s family, friends and school community.”

Anyone with information that might help the police department’s investigation is being asked to contact Sgt. David Fisher at david.fisher@mountainview.gov.