Selection from Hank Nuwer’s Chronology of Deaths Among U.S. College Students as a result of hazing, initiation, and pledging-related accidents (the latter without criminal charges and/or admissions of hazing by a group or individuals).

Site copyrighted by Hank Nuwer, from Wrongs of Passage (revised ed. 2001, Indiana University Press) and book-in-progress, “A Weed in the Garden of Academe,” by Hank Nuwer (anticipated pub date, 2007). Thanks to readers who suggested deleting the disclaimer previously posted here.

Recent deaths from hazing or during pledging in the United States.

2008

Deaths Under Investigation: 2008
1) University of Delaware
Sigma Alpha Mu
Brett Griffin, 18, of Kendall Park, N.J died in Newark, DE. Police cited state law in refusing to release toxicology reports, saying that the investigation into the death is ongoing.  Newspaper reports said alcohol was suspected in Griffin’s cardiac arrest.
Hazing has not been cited as a cause as of December 29, 2008

2) Wabash College
Delta Tau Delta
The attorney for the family of 18-year-old Johnny D. Smith of Tucson, Arizona who died of alcohol poisoning took the unusual step of calling a press conference calling for investigation of possible hazing.

3) Lenoir Rhyne
Theta Chi
Police complained that university officials waited two days before asking them to investigate the death of Harrison Kowiak, 18, in what has been called a physical initiation game. The death has not officially been ruled hazing.

Earlier in the year the Lenoir-Rhyne women’s soccer team was videotaped in a hazing incident involving alcohol.

4) Utah State
Sigma Nu
The death of Michael Starks is under police investigation for possible hazing. Chi Omega and Sigma Nu were suspended following the death.

5) Cal Poly
Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Ci Omega
The death of pledge Carson Starkey, 18, on December 2 of alcohol poisoning is under investigation for possible hazing.

2007
Phi Kappa Tau
Rider University
Hazing death

Gary DeVercelly, a pledge, died after a night of drinking encouraged or required by the older members as a hazing practice.

2006
Sigma Alpha Epsilon
University of Texas

Pledge Tyler Cross died while intoxicated.  Police called his death connected to a period of hazing.

2005
Lambda Phi Epsilon
University of California, Irvine

Kenny Luong died after being pummeled in a mock football game in which pledges were vastly outnumbered by older members.


2005
University of Texas
Lambda Phi Epsilon

Jack Phoummarath died in an alcohol-related initiation.

2004
University of Colorado
Chi Psi
Hazing

Gordon Bailey, 18, died after pledges consumed massive amounts of alcohol.

2004
University of Oklahoma
Sigma Chi
Alcohol death of pledge

Blake Hammontree was found dead in the house at 10:30 a.m. following a function at the house. Family called incident hazing, but coroner termed death accidental.


2005
Chico State University (California)
Chi Tau (college-banned chapter)
Hazing death

Eight men were charged with crimes in the death of pledge Matthew Carrington, 21. Convictions included one felony count for a sentence of one year in prison.

2005
Lambda Phi Epsilon
University of California Irvine
Pledge death under investigation

Pledge Kenny Luong of Cal Poly Pomona died in August after competing in a football game with other pledges against members of the Irvine chapter.  There were many more members than pledges in the roughly played game. The death is under investigation.


2005
University of Texas
Lambda Phi Epsilon
Alcohol death of a pledge

Phanta “Jack” Phoummarath died of acute alcohol intoxication during a fraternity event. Toxicology ruling came January 2006.

Last revised: 5/09/06

a) Note: since no official statistics of hazing deaths are kept by a legitimate government agency, this clearinghouse of deaths reported in the United States relies on published accounts (newspapers, university histories, other books, and in one case [1838] a family history). My contention unequivocably is that a legitimate government agency needs to take over the task of recording deaths and criminal hazing statistics.  Surveys and accurate crime reports are needed to determine whether serious  hazing incidents are increasing or decreasing.
--Hank Nuwer