Riley Cass (left), Ryan Creech (middle), and Carter Eslick (right).
Three Northern Arizona University (NAU) students and members of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity arrested on suspicion of the criminal charge of hazing after 18-year-old pledge found dead during rush event over the weekend. Suspects identified as, Riley Cass, Ryan Creech and Carter Eslick, all 20-years-old.
Three leaders of an Arizona university’s fraternity have been arrested on criminal hazing charges after an 18-year-old student died at a rush event over the weekend, according to police.
The teenager, a student at Northern Arizona University, was found unresponsive around 8:44 a.m., Saturday at an off-campus residence associated with the Delta Tau Delta fraternity near the Flagstaff college campus, according to Flagstaff Police Department and the university.
Cause and manner of hazing pledge student’s death to be determined
Despite life-saving measures the student was pronounced dead at the scene, AZCentral reported.
The name of the student was not immediately released. The students arrested were identified as Carter Eslick, 20, the fraternity’s new member educator; Ryan Creech, 20, fraternity vice president; and Riley Cass, 20, fraternity treasurer. All were executive board members of the fraternity
Police officers executed search warrants at the residence where the student died and interviewed several witnesses.
The cause and manner of the student’s death is pending an autopsy by the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office, ABC News reported citing police.
‘Preliminary information indicates the deceased male, a Northern Arizona University (NAU) student, attended a gathering at the residence the previous evening, identified as a ‘rush’ event for the Delta Tau Delta fraternity,’ according to a released police statement. ‘Alcohol consumption was reported to have occurred by numerous individuals in attendance, including pledge candidates, which includes the deceased male.’
University & Delta Tau Delta fraternity release statements
As a result of the investigation, three students, all executive board members of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity, were arrested on the criminal charge of hazing, police said.
The three students were booked at the Coconino County Detention Facility, according to police.
Northern Arizona University released a statement, saying, ‘This is a devastating loss, and our hearts are with his family, friends and all members of our community who are grieving.’
The university said it is aware of the ongoing investigation and the arrests of the three students.
‘We appreciate the diligence of the Flagstaff Police Department as they work to establish the facts and pursue accountability, and NAU stands ready to support the investigation as it unfolds,’ the university said.
Define the spirit and ethos of fraternity brotherhood?
The university said it is reviewing the incident and has suspended the Delta Tau Delta fraternity ‘to allow a full investigation to take place and prioritize student safety.’ The school said it offers fraternities ‘robust hazing prevention training’ and has ‘high standards of conduct’ for all NAU-associated organizations and individual students.
The Delta Tau Delta International Fraternity released a statement saying, it is ‘deeply saddened by the tragic incident at Northern Arizona University involving members of the local chapter.’
‘Pending the outcome of both the professional investigation and the subsequent internal investigation by Fraternity officials, the chapter remains on interim suspension,’ said Jack Kreman, CEO of the Delta Tau Delta International Fraternity. ‘During this time, the chapter is prohibited from any activities, and all associated operations have ceased.’
Kreman added, ‘Our position on hazing is clear: it is the antithesis of brotherhood and a violation of the values of Delta Tau Delta.’
The tragedy has reignited serious concerns about hazing culture within college Greek life, with many calling for accountability and stronger enforcement to prevent future loss of life.
Northern Arizona University has about 20,000 on its Flagstaff campus.
