This past New Year’s Eve celebration would be the last for University of Wisconsin sophomore Mark E. Mueller.

Mueller, who was found dead outside Sellery Hall on New Year’s Day, died of massive head trauma after apparently falling down on his way to a friend’s house. Although toxicology tests are pending, Madison police believe alcohol was a prominent factor in his death.

“This was a young man all of us would have been proud to have as a son or a friend,” said UW Police Chief Susan Riseling. “He was intelligent, well-liked and kind.”

Although Mueller was found without a coat, wallet, money or keys, Riseling said a mugging had been ruled out.

“There’s no evidence of that,” she said. “When you go out to the bars, having a coat is kind of a pain. We think he left the bars in the early-morning hours. He was heading home, and we think the time of death was somewhere between 5:30 a.m. and 6 a.m.”

Riseling also said she blamed some conflicting reports of the incident on the fact that the only identification found on Mueller was a fake ID.

“It was so close it fooled four police officers, one detective and the coroner,” she said.

“Students have to think about having a false ID and what it may put a family through.”

She said the family of the man that was actually on the ID was contacted and told their son was dead only to hear from him later.

“It had to have been difficult,” Riseling said. “That’s tough on people who have to hear it, it’s tough on people who have to tell them, and it’s tough on the people who gave out their ID.”

If Mueller had been found alive, the wrong family would have been contacted for medical permission to help him, Riseling said.

Police have not decided whether charges will be brought against the man on the identification.

“I think that’s a good argument for lowering the drinking age,” said area doorman Brandon Lewandowski. “He wouldn’t have needed an ID in the first place.”

Fake IDs continue to be prevalent among UW students, partly because bar and liquor-store employees have little incentive to confiscate them, Lewandowski said.

“I’ve heard of some owners that give rewards, but not here. Most owners want you to come in and spend money,” he said.

“If it’s obvious, I take it,” Lewandowski added. “If they show me a fake, and I don’t see it, that’s their problem.

“As long as people are having a good time and not getting into fights and not passing out, they can stay,” Lewandowski said about asking a patron to leave.

“If you’re driving, I’d think about that too.”

UW Police, meanwhile, continue to struggle with campus drinking and the circumstances surrounding Mueller’s death.

“There are still unanswered questions, and we are continuing to retrace the last 24 hours of this young man’s life,” said UW Police Captain Todd Kuschel. “We owe that to Mark, his family and the community.”