Lousiana police are investigating the death of Maxwell Raymond Gruver, an 18-year-old student at LSU, as a possible fraternity hazing incident.
University spokesman Ernie Ballard said Gruver, an 18-year-old LSU freshman from Roswell, Georgia, died on Thursday, September 14, after he was taken to a Baton Rouge hospital to be treated for an unspecified “medical emergency.” An autopsy is planned for Friday, September 15.
LSU President F. King Alexander said police are investigating allegations that alcohol was a factor. Furthermore, President Alexander says that Phi Delta Theta, the fraternity involved in the investigation, has been suspended by the university and its national chapter.
via New York Times:
“The death of Maxwell Gruver was tragic and untimely,” F. King Alexander, the university’s president, said in the statement. “There are allegations that Maxwell’s death was related to hazing, but I want to emphasize that this is an evolving situation.”
Mr. Alexander said that all fraternity and sorority activities at the school were suspended indefinitely. Recruitment at fraternities and sororities there ended last month.
Prosecutors Taking Tougher Stance in Fraternity Hazing Deaths MAY 8, 2017
The national office of Phi Delta Theta announced on Thursday evening that it had suspended the university’s chapter, adding that its officials had been working with the authorities in Louisiana. The office said that Mr. Gruver, who was from Roswell, Ga., was a prospective member at that chapter.“We’re committed to investigating this situation thoroughly,” Bob Biggs, the chief executive at Phi Delta Theta, said. “The chapter and any individuals who are found to have violated our policies will be held accountable.”
Gruver, who graduated from Blessed Trinity Catholic School, had not yet pledged with the fraternity. All Greek activities at LSU have been suspended indefinitely.
