High school track star mysteriously dies

(Staten Island - WABC, April 4, 2007) (WABC) -- Police are investigating if foul play may have been involved in the death of a high school track star on Staten Island.

Police say 17-year-old Arielle Newman, a standout senior athlete at the Notre Dame Academy, was discovered by her mother around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Intitial reports said Alice Newman found her daughter lying in a large pool of vomit. However, Newman denied there was any vomit in an interview with the Staten Island Advance. Police sources say Arielle had gone out Monday night to the Boulder Creek Steakhouse in Bulls Head. When she returned home, she reportedly told her parents that several guys at the bar had been hassling her. She then she went to bed.

Alice Newman confirmed to the Advance that she found her daughter, tried CPR and called 911. She said Arielle came home "frazzled" after two or three boys apparently tried to accost her in Willowbrook Park.

Boulder Creek manager Brian O'Connor told the Advance he did not remember seeing Arielle and also noted the bar's strict ID policy.

Although her death has been tentatively attributed to natural causes, investigators are awaiting the results of a toxicology report to determine if alcohol was involved.

Meanwhile, Alice and Richard Newman must stop planning their daughter's college future and start planning her funeral.

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