Student Deaths Highlight Rampant and Dangerous Fraternity Hazing

Three 18-year-old college students have died this year after participating in dangerous fraternity and sorority hazing initiation rituals, primarily from suspected alcohol poisoning. Families of victims and anti-hazing organizations report that these initiation practices are escalating in severity.

Reported hazing rituals have included extreme acts such as being forced to swallow live goldfish, waterboarding, and bringing live animals into initiation events. According to data, hazing incidents on college campuses are on the rise, with at least 556 cases reported between July 2025 and August 2026.

One recent case involved freshman Anthony Joseph Blas, 18, who died on September 13, allegedly while pledging to fraternity Delta Chi at Cal State Fullerton. The university had previously banned the chapter for alcohol, drug, and hazing violations. Blas became unresponsive at an event and was taken to a hospital by students shortly after midnight, where he was pronounced dead. The Fullerton Police Department attributed his death to suspected alcohol poisoning but did not cite hazing or foul play as factors in their report. His family, however, expressed concern that hazing may have played a role and are demanding a full investigation. The national Delta Chi office stated that it has not operated a chapter at Cal State Fullerton for five years and that the group has not been recognized by the fraternity.

Another death occurred on January 31, when freshman Colin Martinez, 18, died from alcohol poisoning during an off-campus rush event for Delta Tau Delta at Northern Arizona University. Martinez and three other pledges were reportedly blindfolded and instructed to consume large quantities of alcohol. Carter Eslick, 20, a leader of the now-defunct Delta Tau Delta chapter, pleaded guilty to felony hazing in connection with the incident.

Freshman Savanna Jones, 18, died on April 30 after allegedly participating in a hazing ritual to join the "Turtle Club" at Wilberforce University in Ohio. Her family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the university, claiming she was made to drink an entire bottle of liquor and later died after becoming severely intoxicated. Her parents believe that prompt medical attention could have saved her life.

Anti-hazing campaigner Jolayne Houtz, whose 19-year-old son died from hazing in 2019, stated that the most severe hazing incidents occur in unrecognized groups and urged universities to intervene to prevent further tragedies. "They’re operating with impunity and nobody is holding them to account," Houtz said. "It is intolerable and we need to start treating it like a public health crisis to finally put a stop to it."

While colleges and universities are required to track and report hazing incidents under the federal Stop Campus Hazing Act, passed in December 2024, unofficial or unrecognized groups often operate outside these frameworks. Since the death of Tim Piazza at Penn State University in February 2017, there have been 36 hazing-related deaths. Evelyn Piazza, Tim's mother, noted an increase in the danger and harm associated with hazing since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recent incidents include a fraternity at the University of Arizona suspended for allegedly forcing pledges to eat live goldfish and consume large amounts of alcohol. In Wisconsin, 30 individuals were found in a fraternity basement covered in food and condiments, with some exhibiting injuries consistent with physical assault. Two fraternity leaders were arrested for hazing and disorderly conduct. Additionally, fraternities at Louisiana State University faced suspension after allegations of waterboarding and forcing pledges to consume excessive amounts of liquids. A video also surfaced from March 2024 depicting hazing at the University of Miami.

Organizations like HazingInfo, created by Jolayne Houtz, aim to provide a database of hazing incidents to prevent future tragedies. Houtz advocates for greater transparency from universities, suggesting they publish lists of unrecognized fraternities operating on or near their campuses.