LEXIN GTON, Ky. — The photographs are what keep the memories alive of an 18-year-old University of Kentucky student who died of suspected alcohol poisoning. 

What You Need To Know

  • A Kentucky family reeling from the loss of their youngest child

  • Thomas "Lofton" Hazelwood, 18, died in October

  • His sister, Preston, shares childhood stories and pays a tribute to his life

  • He was a member of FarmHouse Fraternity. UK suspended all activities at the fraternity

 

"This was the first turkey he killed," said Preston Hazelwood, a sophomore. "And he was just so happy and proud cause he like had been hunting a lot and took him a while before he got one. He actually still has the feathers. We have it at home so that’s pretty cool."

She's back on campus after more than three weeks recalling her younger brother, Thomas "Lofton" Hazelwood. He was a member of FarmHouse Fraternity.

"Yesterday was my first day back here. It was a little rough but I have a lot of people surrounding me, friends, family, sorority sisters. It’s been really amazing to see everybody that’s been here for my family," Preston said.

The Henderson native is just 17-months-older than her brother Lofton.

"I also really like this picture because you can tell how happy he was to farm. It was just his favorite thing to do," Preston said, while she shows pictures of Lofton ranging from his childhood to his favorite activities.

On Monday, Oct. 18, first responders found the UK freshman unresponsive at the FarmHouse Fraternity house. The Fayette County Coroner’s Office later said Lofton died from suspected alcohol poisoning.

Following his death, University of Kentucky suspended all activities for the FarmHouse Fraternity while they continue multiple investigations.

"Monday went to lunch together. I was really glad that I got to go to eat with him that day," Preston said.

That day became the last time Preston saw her brother as they shared a meal together at Chick-fil-A.

"I just missed his laugh and his smile, his goofy personality. He’s is always making me laugh he’s always crazy. You just never had a dull moment with him," Preston said.

The grief looks different each day for Preston.

"Mornings aren't as bad for me. It's definitely the nighttime. I don't really know why, it just hits me. I think I’m like more just like at a lonely place at night because we used to spend all kinds of time together at night," Preston said. 

She says their family has resolved in their faith.

"We've just leaned on each other and seen how like amazing people have treated us and we just really wanted to lean on our faith because we don't really know why this happened. But it happened for a reason and God's taking care of my brother now and so we've just been going to Church more and just leaning on our faith. And doing what we can to be together," Preston said.

She said she appreciates the outpouring of love and support from the community to honor Lofton’s life. The Henderson community honored the student during Dia de los Muertos by creating an offrenda to mark Lofton's life.

In addition, the family distributed the abundance of flowers and arrangements they received to the Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital in Evansville in honor of Lofton.

The family has also set up an endowment fund to distribute scholarships in his name.

Preston said a family friend is naming a tugboat in honor of Lofton calling it the 'Lofton H'.

Spectrum News 1 has reached out to the Fayette County Coroner’s Office for a full toxicology report. We are awaiting a response.

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