Police were investigating whether the off-campus death yesterday morning of a California University of Pennsylvania sophomore was alcohol-related.

The student, William K. Bobbitt, 19, was found unresponsive at a friend's house in the 400 block of Second Street, California.

Mr. Bobbitt had been drinking, but it was not known if alcohol contributed to or caused his death, said Jean L'Altrelli, a Washington County deputy coroner.

An autopsy was scheduled for yesterday, but Ms. L'Altrelli cautioned that a ruling on the cause and manner of death will likely depend on toxicology tests.

California Mayor Casey Durdines, who graduated from the university in December, said alcohol-related problems -- including underage drinking and the use of fake identification -- have been on the rise.

"It's really getting to be a serious problem," Mr. Durdines said.