Michael Philbin, Son of Packers Coach, Called Pal Before Falling In River

Jan. 10, 2012— -- The son of Green Bay Packers coach Joe Philbin made a "non-distress" phone call to a friend shortly before he was heard shouting for help as he apparently tumbled into the icy Fox River, officials said today.

Investigators do not suspect foul play in the death of Michael Philbin, but are trying to determine whether alcohol was a factor.

Police said they will not know the cause of death until autopsy and toxicology results are returned in about four weeks.

Michael Philbin, 21, was reported missing Sunday, around 8 p.m., after not returning to the residence in Oshkosh where he was staying, police said. Philbin was visiting friends at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, and made a phone call around 2:10 a.m. Sunday morning from the area around the river. Police said the phone call was a "non-distress" call and are asking anyone that was with Philbin at the time to come forward with information.

A security guard at a nearby business called the police department around 2:30 a.m. Sunday after hearing someone shout for help and seeing someone near the river, police said. Police, fire and dive team patrols searched the area, but did not find anyone on Sunday.

A fresh search was conducted on Monday and the body was found around 3:15 p.m., according to Police Officer Joseph Nichols.

Nichols said temperatures had been unseasonably warm in the Oshkosh area -- 50 miles from Green Bay -- and that there was only a little bit of ice around the edge of the river.

Police are trying to determine whether Philbin was drinking the night of his death and are trying to put together a timeline of his last hours alive, according to new information released today.

Michael Philbin's Last Hours Reconstructed

Packers coach Joe Philbin spent Monday in Oshkosh, where his son had been reported missing after an outing with friends at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh campus, according to ESPN. Michael Philbin is the second-oldest of six children.

"The Packers family was saddened to learn of the passing of Michael Philbin, son of offensive coordinator Joe Philbin," said Packers general manager Ted Thompson in a statement, noting that the team's thoughts and prayers are with the Philbins and asking the public to respect the family's privacy.

"All of us in the Packers family share in their grief," he said.

Head Coach Mike McCarthy noted that he had plans in place to prepare for Sunday's NFL playoffs NFC Divisional round against the New York Giants if Philbin remained away from the team, ESPN reported. The Packers are seeded first in their division.

"We're prepared to do whatever we need to do as a staff to make sure our team's ready to go," McCarthy said. "We'll be ready to go."

Packers players offered supportive messages on Twitter throughout the day.

"As children we all have to someday say goodbye to our parents, but a parent should never have to say goodbye to their child," said offensive lineman T.J. Lang.

Packers defensive lineman B.J. Raji wrote that "life is too short."

"Live in the present," he tweeted.