The off-campus house where a 21-year old Saint Mary's student claims she was sexually assaulted Sept. 28 . It was inhabited by Notre Dame students, but there is no medical evidence a date rape drug was used, police said.
The woman told police that she went to the Linebacker Lounge Sept. 27 with three other individuals, including a male friend of hers. While at the bar, she said her friend's roommate bought her drinks and they went back to their house around 3 a.m. and continued to drink. The woman said she was given a blanket and pillow to sleep on the couch, but woke up naked next to the roommate the following morning.
She said she suspected she was sexually assaulted and that a date rape drug may have been used.
Brent Hemmerlein, commander of the St. Joseph Family Violence and Special Victims unit said that a medical test was negative for a date rape drug. He said he could not release information on the results of the other rape exams. The Family Violence and Special Victims Unit works under the authority of the county prosecutor and investigates all incidences of sexual assault within St. Joseph County, including the city of South Bend, where the alleged incident occurred.
South Bend Police Captain Phil Trent said the alleged assault occurred in a house in South Bend.
"It is likely that [the alleged assailant] was someone in the residence ... the residence was rented by Notre Dame students," said South Bend Police Captain Phil Trent.
Hemmerlein said the case remains an active investigation and the woman has not yet decided on how she wants the case to proceed.
