Suspects in St. Paul 14-year-old girl's death released

Updated: August 9, 2012 - 11:34 PM

Any charges depend on autopsy results, officials say.

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Two men arrested in the death of a 14-year-old St. Paul girl were released from jail Thursday pending official autopsy results.

Ramsey County attorney spokesman Dennis Gerhardstein said that the office could not make a charging decision until it receives official autopsy results.

Pauviera Linson was found dead about 9:45 a.m. Monday in her aunt's house after apparently drinking a codeine-laced soft drink on Sunday night.

St. Paul police said that the two men, ages 19 and 25, were at the party where Linson and a 17-year-old friend were given the drink, known as "purple drank," "lean" or "dirty Sprite." They were also given marijuana and alcohol.

Police have declined to speak in detail about each suspect's specific role because neither has been charged. The men were arrested Tuesday.

Authorities are not looking for any other suspects.

Toxicology results can take several days to a few weeks, although the Ramsey County medical examiner's office could not give a timeframe for when official results will be available.

The examiner's office is working as fast as possible to complete the case, Gerhardstein said in a written statement.

A fund has been set up to help pay for Linson's funeral costs. Donations can be made at any Wells Fargo bank to the Pauviera Linson Memorial Trust.

Her family declined to comment on the men's release.

CHAO XIONG

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"Purple drank" concoction has been around since the 1990s.