Apex High student dies after drug party

According to Apex police, Timothy Castaneda, 17, was partying with friends in the woods Oct. 6 behind the Beaver Creek Cinemas when he collapsed. Police estimate as many as a dozen teens may have been present at the party, but three remained with Castaneda until police arrived just before 2 a.m.

The trio, in separate interviews with police, said Castaneda called Ryan John Laches, who delivered LSD to the party. Castaneda took the drug and later, his friends said, he began "freaking out." 

In a call to 911, friends described Castaneda as "having a seizure," foaming and bleeding from the mouth. The caller told an emergency dispatcher that he had taken two hits of acid about 3 to 4 hours prior. 

Laches, 17, is charged with two counts of selling a controlled substance. According to Apex police, Laches, a senior, was arrested at Apex High School in March on a marijuana possession charge.

After Castaneda was hospitalized, police searched the home Laches shares with his parents, at 1006 Double Spring Court, in Apex, and seized a phone, a charger and some notes.

Castaneda died a week later. He was also a student at Apex High School.

A wake is planned Wednesday evening at Apex Funeral Home. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday at 11 a.m. at St. Andrew The Apostle Catholic Church, 3008 Old Raleigh Road, with burial to follow in Wake Memorial Park.