Stanford Investigation Finds Alleged Sexual Assaults Were Fabricated

Stanford University has concluded that two reported sexual assault incidents on its campus, which had caused alarm and led students to alter their routines, were fabricated. The university's Department of Public Safety (DPS) conducted investigations into both alleged assaults, which were reported by the same woman.

The first alleged assault occurred on March 29 near the intersection of Santa Ynez Street and Mayfield Avenue. The woman reported being sexually assaulted by an armed man while jogging. Following this report, the DPS issued a campus-wide alert, and the incident caused considerable fear among students, leading some to increase security measures, share their locations, and avoid poorly lit areas.

Despite initial reassurances from university officials that there was no immediate threat to the community, the reported assault deeply unsettled students. Celeste Vargas, incoming ASSU Executive Vice President, stated in an email to The Stanford Daily that it was a "scary time to be a woman on campus."

However, Stanford PR Director Charlene Gage announced that investigators found the March 29 assault never happened. Gage acknowledged that these findings could raise concerns for survivors but reiterated the department's commitment to treating all reports with seriousness and care, conducting impartial investigations based on evidence, and treating those who report crimes with respect.

The same woman subsequently reported a second alleged sexual assault on April 5. Investigators also determined this second incident did not occur, citing "strong evidence." The details of the initial report described the attacker as a clean-shaven man with dark skin, brown eyes, and short hair, wearing a light blue sweatshirt, dark jeans, and a thick braided bracelet. The alleged assailant was also said to be carrying a semi-automatic handgun.

The university's response to the initial report included a campus-wide alert issued on the evening of March 29. Officials later stated there was no evidence of a threat related to the incident, though the campus community remained on edge.