Crime & Safety

Woodbury High School Student's Death Deemed 'Suspicious'

Woodbury High School Principal Confirms Death.

The Woodbury Police Department is presently investigating the death of a 17-year-old Woodbury girl.

Tara Fitzgerald, was found unresponsive at a home in the 3000 block of Commonwealth Avenue the morning of Jan. 11, according to a report by the Woodbury Bulletin. Fitzgerald was taken to Regions Hospital in St. Paul, where she was pronounced dead.

An email from Linda Plante, Woodbury High School principal, confirmed Fitzgerald as a Woodbury High School student.

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"Parents, we have sad news to share with you about a student of ours at Woodbury High School," Plante wrote in an email to parents dated Jan. 12. "Tragically, junior Tara Fitzgerald, died this weekend. Tara Fitzgerald was an excellent student, and a valued member of our school community."

According to the Woodbury Bulletin, two juveniles males, as well as an adult male were "arrested on suspicion of murder but were subsequently released." No information is presently available on the juveniles arrested. However, the adult suspect, an 18-year-old from Woodbury, was booked into Washington County jail on suspicion of third-degree murder, as well as two drug possession charges.

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“Anytime we have a healthy young person pass away it is suspicious and it is under investigation,” Woodbury Public Safety spokeswoman Michelle Okada informed the Woodbury Bulletin.

Okada also told the Woodbury Bulletin the three males were released from custody “pending further investigation.” 

An autopsy is scheduled, and law enforcement is awaiting toxicology results, which could take up to two months, according to the Woodbury Bulletin.

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