A San Antonio teenager who was found dead in his burning car near Waco, where he was attending college, committed suicide, according to a recently released autopsy report.
William David Patterson, 18, died Feb. 9 of thermal burns and smoke inhalation, the report from the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences said.
The document was released through McLennan County Justice of the Peace Kristi DeCluitt's office Wednesday morning.
?We just got the news about 30 minutes ago,? said Evan Frost Patterson, 23, Will Patterson's older brother, around noon Wednesday. ?We're still very sorry about Will, and we're very sad and upset by it. We love him, and we miss him.?
A Churchill High School graduate and Eagle Scout, Will Patterson was a freshman studying film and digital media at Baylor University. He was also pledging the Kappa Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta, like his older brother had done, and maintained a 3.6 GPA, according to his obituary.
According to authorities, surveillance video showed Will Patterson buying fuel containers and fuel minutes before the McLennan County Sheriff's Office was called to the shoulder of Eastland Lake Road for a burning Cadillac.
Lori Fogleman, a Baylor spokeswoman, said she could not say whether or not Patterson had showed signs of being suicidal or sought help through the university's health services.
?But regardless of the police investigation, what matters here is that this was a terrible tragedy,? she said. ?Our heart breaks for his family in San Antonio and his friends and peers here at Baylor.?
She added that the fraternity is not under investigation in connection with Patterson's death.
Bryan Baker, the fraternity chapter president, had no comment.