Alcohol a cause in death of Bellingham girl, 14

BELLINGHAM — Investigators believe alcohol was a cause in the death of a 14-year-old Bellingham girl.

Police think she had been drinking at a party Friday night. She came home at 2 a.m. Saturday and went to bed. Her mother went to check on her at 6 a.m. and found her unresponsive. Medics could not revive her.

The Bellingham Herald reported she was identified as Hazel Christine Phair.

Medical Examiner Gary Goldfogel said the autopsy suggests she could not breathe because of drinking too much alcohol. Toxicology tests are pending.

Phair was a student at Whatcom Middle School.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Frank DeMiero founded and directed the Seattle Jazz Singers, a semi-professional vocal group. They are pictured here performing at the DeMiero Jazz Festival. (Photos courtesy the DeMiero family)
‘He dreamed out loud’: Remembering music educator Frank DeMiero

DeMiero founded the music department at Edmonds College and was a trailblazer for jazz choirs nationwide.

Provided photo Tug Buse sits in a period-correct small ship’s boat much like what could have been used by the Guatamozin in 1803 for an excursion up the Stillaguamish River.
Local historian tries to track down historic pistol

Tug Buse’s main theory traces back to a Puget Sound expedition that predated Lewis and Clark.

Archbishop Murphy High School on Friday, Feb. 28 in Everett, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Former teacher charged with possession of child pornography

Using an online investigation tool, detectives uncovered five clips depicting sexual exploitation of minors.

A person waits in line at a pharmacy next to a sign advertising free flu shots with most insurance on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Have you had the flu yet, Snohomish County? You’re not alone.

The rate of flu-related hospitalizations is the highest it’s been in six years, county data shows, and there are no signs it will slow down soon.

City of Everett Principal Engineer Zach Brown talks about where some of the piping will connect to the Port Gardner Storage Facility, an 8-million-gallon waste water storage facility, on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Port Gardner Storage Facility will allow Everett to meet state outflow requirements

The facility will temporarily store combined sewer and wastewater during storm events, protecting the bay from untreated releases.

Founder of Snohomish County Indivisible Naomi Dietrich speaks to those gather for the senator office rally on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Membership numbers are booming for Snohomish County’s Indivisible chapter

Snohomish County’s Indivisible chapter, a progressive action group, has seen… Continue reading

Lynnwood
Police: Man fired gun into Alderwood Mall to steal $20K in sneakers

The man allegedly shot through mall entrances and stole high-end merchandise before reselling it

A car drives along Lockwood Road in front of Lockwood Elementary School pas the new flashing crosswalk on Monday, Sept. 30, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett responds to higher traffic deaths with ‘Vision Zero’ goal

Officials are pushing for lower speed limits, safer crossings and community input to curb fatalities on city roads.

Mrs. Hildenbrand runs through a spelling exercise with her first grade class on the classroom’s Boxlight interactive display board funded by a pervious tech levy on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County schools react to education department firings

The Department of Education announced Tuesday it will lay off more than 1,300 employees.

Lynnwood
Lynnwood City Council eyes path forward at contentious meeting

The council discussed how to move forward in filling its vacancy after Jessica Roberts withdrew Thursday.

Everett Transit Director Mike Schmieder talks about how the buses are able to lower themselves onto the induction chargers on Monday, March 10, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett Transit set to sell nine electric buses

The buses, built by a now-bankrupt company, had reliability issues for years. The agency’s 10 other electric buses don’t have those problems.

Camano Island Fire & Rescue chooses new chief

Jason Allen, who has worked at the district since 1999, will replace outgoing Fire Chief Levon Yengoyan.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.