The Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Coroner’s Office has determined how a Millersville University student and former child actor died at the beginning of the fall semester.
Nineteen-year-old Matthew Mindler’s death was previously ruled a suicide. Chief Deputy Coroner Eric Bieber told PennLive Friday Mindler ingested sodium nitrate, a preservative used in bacon, deli meat and jerky.
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Too much sodium nitrate “causes hypotension and limits oxygen transport and delivery in the body,” according to the National Library of Medicine. Doctors said side effects include: cyanosis, hypoxia, altered consciousness, dysrhythmias, and death.
Mindler was reported missing Aug. 25 after failing to return to his dorm room, attend classes or return his family’s calls. He was found dead three days later in a wooded area within walking distance of the residence halls, university officials said.
University officials said Mindler was from Hellertown, Northampton County.
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 22: Actor Matthew Mindler attends The Cinema Society & Altoids screening of The Weinstein Company's "Our Idiot Brother" at 1 MiMA Tower on August 22, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)Getty Images
“This is a time of grief for the family, our campus and the community,” Millersville University President Daniel A. Wubah said in a statement after Mindler’s death. “I ask that the campus community come together to support each other, and our students, during this difficult time.”
Multiple news outlets reported Mindler played Emily Mortimer and Steve Coogan’s son in the 2011 film “Our Idiot Brother.”
Mindler appeared in an episode of “As the World Turns” and the short film “Frequency”, according to the Hollywood Reporter. His most recent acting job was in the 2016 TV movie, “Chad: An American Boy.”
If you or someone you know is feeling suicidal, call the free, confidential National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-8255.