Autopsy Report: Cal Poly Student Died in Fall

The death of an 18-year old Cal Poly student was officially ruled accidental by the Santa Barbara County Coroner’s office.

In the autopsy report released to NewsChannel 3, the death of Giselle Ayala was caused by blunt force trauma sustained in a fall from the cliffs above Campus Point Beach in Isla Vista, near the UCSB campus.

The report found Ayala’s blood alcohol level at the time of her death was .145, well above the legal limit of .08 for driving in California. Traces of marijuana were also found in her system.

Interviews with people who knew Ayala indicated the young woman had come from San Luis Obispo to Isla Vista to attend parties with friends. She was last seen leaving a group of friends to use a restroom.

The report indicates Ayala likely wandered away and fell off the cliff on a dark night. At the time, fencing to provide a barrier from the cliff had not yet been installed.

Fencing was installed within weeks of Ayala’s death.