Three Fraternity Members Arrested Over Hazing Death of Teenager at Arizona University
Three executive board members of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity at Northern Arizona University have been arrested on criminal hazing charges following the tragic death of an 18-year-old fellow student. The Flagstaff Police Department confirmed the arrests after discovering the unresponsive student at an off-campus residence near the university campus on Saturday morning.
Details of the Incident and Arrests
According to police statements, the 18-year-old student, whose identity has not yet been publicly released, was pronounced dead at the scene after officers responded to the off-campus home. Investigators executed a search warrant at the property and conducted interviews with witnesses, revealing that the deceased had attended a rush event at the Delta Tau Delta fraternity on Friday evening.
Police reported that alcohol consumption occurred among numerous individuals present at the event, including pledge candidates such as the young man who later died. The three arrested fraternity members have been identified as 20-year-old Ryan Creech, who served as vice president; 20-year-old Riley Cass, the treasurer; and 20-year-old Carter Eslick, who held the position of new member educator.
University Response and Ongoing Investigation
Northern Arizona University officials have suspended the Delta Tau Delta fraternity indefinitely as the investigation continues. In a statement released on Saturday, the university described the student's death as a devastating loss and emphasised that the incident occurred at an off-campus residence associated with the fraternity.
The university's statement read: We want to be clear: The safety and well-being of our students remain our highest priorities. Violence, hazing or any other behavior that endangers others has no place at NAU. Detectives are now coordinating with the Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office to determine the exact cause of death.
Broader Context and Legal Proceedings
It remains unclear whether the three arrested students have retained legal representation, and attempts to identify their attorneys for comment have been unsuccessful. The Flagstaff Police Department has booked the individuals into the Coconino County Detention Facility on criminal hazing charges.
Northern Arizona University, which has a student population exceeding 25,000 across more than 20 locations statewide, maintains its main campus in Flagstaff, approximately 150 miles north of Phoenix. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about hazing practices within university fraternity culture and the severe consequences that can result from such activities.
