Family dispute, possible drinking preceded man's death in town of Fulton

PHOTOGRAPHER: Jim McGuire

A family argument ended with the death of a young Otsego County man late Sunday night, although police officials said there is no apparent cause of death and authorities are waiting for toxicology results from the autopsy.

State police issued a news release Monday terming the death of Brian L. Ives, 21, lately of Broadalbin, as suspicious. Few other details have been disclosed other than those in a second news release Tuesday reporting an autopsy was conducted at Albany Medical Center.

Police officials who spoke Wednesday on the condition they not be identified said state police and the Cobleskill Rescue Squad were dispatched around 11:30 p.m. to the West Fulton Road home of the father of Ives’ girlfriend in the town of Fulton. The caller to 911 asked for medical response and reported a domestic incident, an official said.

The name of the homeowner was not disclosed.

Officials said they were told there was an altercation described as pushing and shoving, but no punches were thrown and no weapons used, according to witnesses. An official said witnesses reported Ives appeared to be intoxicated.

Ives was found dead, officials said, but the autopsy found no signs of trauma on the body. An official said investigators are now waiting for the results of toxicology tests, probably three or four weeks.

Ives was from Worcester in Otsego County, but had recently moved in with his girlfriend in the town of Broadalbin in Fulton County. He and his girlfriend were visiting her father for the weekend, an official said.

No one has been charged in the incident.

Schoharie County District Attorney James Sackett could not be reached Wednesday afternoon for comment.

Ives’ preliminary obituary was published Wednesday in the Daily Star newspaper in Oneonta. Arrangements are being handled by a Worcester funeral home, but were listed as pending.