ATHENS, Ga. - A Winder-Barrow High School senior died of an accident, not a homicide, at an after-prom party last month, the Barrow County Sheriff's Office said this week, hoping the news will curb rampant rumors.

Eighteen-year-old Leland Lamar "Lee" Martin died as a result of "positional asphyxia due to airway compression in a person acutely intoxicated by ethanol," the sheriff's office said in a statement. Essentially, Mr. Martin couldn't get enough air to breathe and suffocated.

"It is our hope and prayer that this information will dispel many of the unsubstantiated rumors that have been surrounding this investigation," sheriff's Maj. Murray Kogod said Wednesday. "We'd like everybody to begin the healing process."

Mr. Martin was found dead April 29 after an after-prom party at a Quail Trail Road house near Auburn where, Maj. Kogod said, Mr. Martin drank "a significant amount of Everclear," or high-proof grain alcohol.

Barrow County authorities made the announcement Wednesday after Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab officials sent the results to the Barrow County Coroner David Crosby.

"What this takes out is any possible investigation into any possible homicide," Maj. Kogod said of the autopsy results.

Earlier this month, authorities charged three people connected to the after-prom party, including the mother of the high school student who threw the gala.

The autopsy results were expedited with the help of state Rep. Terry England, R-Auburn, authorities said.

And although the results are back, authorities will continue to investigate the fatal party and could bring additional charges, Maj. Kogod said.