A fraternity recruitment event near Northern Arizona University (NAU) turned deadly over the weekend when an 18-year-old student died, prompting the arrests of three fraternity board members on hazing-related charges, police said.
Flagstaff Police responded early Saturday morning to a residence about half a mile from the NAU campus after receiving a call that a young man was unresponsive. Officers arrived around 8:45 a.m. to find bystanders performing CPR inside the home. Despite continued lifesaving efforts by police, the student was pronounced dead at the scene.
Witnesses told investigators that alcohol had been consumed at the Delta Tau Delta recruitment event, including by the victim.
Three fraternity officers — Vice President Ryan Creech, Treasurer Riley Cass, and New Member Educator Carter Eslick, all 20 years old — were taken into custody on hazing charges, according to the Flagstaff Police Department.
Authorities have not released the identity of the deceased pending notification of family. Police say the investigation remains active and are asking anyone with information to contact the Flagstaff Police Department at 928-744-1414 or Coconino County Silent Witness at 928-774-6111.
Further updates will be provided as the investigation continues.
