Lawyer: Bar Could Possibly Be Liable In Harvard Student's Death

AUGUSTA, Maine (CBS/AP) — A waterfront bar in Portland, Maine that kicked out a Harvard Business School student the night he drowned in a nearby harbor could be held liable for his death, according to a Maine attorney.

Nathan Bihlmaier of Cambridge, Mass., went missing early Sunday after he was told to leave Ri Ra Irish Pub for being visibly intoxicated.

Bihlmaier was at Ri Ra celebrating his upcoming graduation with two friends.

Attorney Wayne Foote says if Ri Ra served Bihlmaier before kicking him out, it's possible they could be in some legal trouble.

"If he was served in that bar, the Dram Shop Act is going to make that bar liable for serving a visibly intoxicated person," Foote said.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Laurie Kirby reports

However, Foote points out that if Bihlmaier was served somewhere else, or was denied service at Ri Ra, he doesn't see where the bar could be held liable.

The 31-year-old's body was recovered from Portland Harbor by divers Tuesday, and the autopsy was conducted Wednesday in Augusta.

The Maine medical examiner's office ruled that Bihlmair's death was an accidental drowning.

Bihlmaier, who was married and whose wife is expecting their first child, was scheduled to graduate from Harvard Business School on Thursday.

He was a native of Osborne, Kan., and a University of Kansas graduate.

(TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)