University of New Orleans student Ciaya Whetstone enjoys her first Mardi Gras celebration with her friends and her boyfriend: She posts photos on Instagram captioned, “Well my first Mardi Gras parade did not disappoint.”
As the night progresses, Whetstone ends up at her boyfriend’s house, and later in the evening decides to go home to check on her dog. She calls an Uber.
Whetstone’s roommate is home and Whetstone introduces the Uber driver as a “new friend.” She announces to the roommate her plans to leave with the driver. The roommate tries to get Whetstone to stay home, but she says she wants to go find her car. That is the last time Whetstone was seen alive.
Around 6:41 a.m., a man claiming to be an Uber Driver brings a visibly ill woman to New Orleans East Hospital and drops her off. The medical staff says Whetstone is blue in the face and has dilated, fixed pupils. There are no other outward injuries.
Hospital personnel try to revive Whetstone without success. The time of death is called about 7 a.m. The Coroner determines that Whetstone has lethal doses of fentanyl and ethanol in her system at the time.
Whetstone’s mother is still pushing for answers in her daughter’s death. No one has been charged in Whetstone’s death.
Joining Nancy Grace Today:
Special Guest:
- Miranda Whetstone – Victim’s Mother
“Crime Stories with Nancy Grace” on Fox Nation is also a national radio show on SiriusXM channel 111, airing for two hours daily starting at 12 p.m. EST. You can also subscribe and download the daily podcasts at iHeart Podcasts.
[Feature Photo courtesy of Miranda Whetstone]
