Sister of Hazing drowning victim Chad Meredith is Kelly Meredith-Henson. Here she talks about the police “investigation” finding the drowning of a Lambda Chi Alpha pledge to be accidental (I am writing more officials tonight):Moderator Hank Nuwer
Hank,
I have read on the drowning of this teen (even your blog exported below). It sounds all too familiar to me! The story similar to the gut wrenching story of our own! Remember in Chad’s story we were instantly told his drowning had nothing to do with hazing. We were told this by every authority figure involved with no investigation once so ever. There was an immediate plea from authorities to keep his death hushed. Had my family let it drop, as they hoped, his death would have never made the difference it now has. It would have never brought light to the need for more strict hazing laws and been swept under the rug just like many others I’m sure have. There would be no bill. Honestly in our first moments of shock we wanted to believe it was an innocent accident as well. It wasn’t until we sat and pondered the situation, knowing Chad and his character that we realized there had to be more than what we were being told. How can any youth die and no thorough investigation be done? I’ll never understand that!! I agree with you, this cannot, should not, and would be a shame to let this young man die without knowing the facts. I can’t find online if there was drinking involved. Actually there is very little talk of the actual actions of that day. Do you know? The lack of the days actions being reported also sends red flags to me. Chad’s story was all over the news EVERYWHERE. As of right now they will speak little of it as to not give a bad taste for fraternities, the university, or ideas of hazing. Once hazing is mentioned they will begin to make this young man seem of low morals…because how could it be the fraternity’s fault of his death?
Any death of a youth should have answers of some sort! How can there be answers with no true investigation? Aren’t his loved ones entitled to answers? Isn’t the public entitled to know what’s going on at these schools they may someday send their youth to or have youth present there now? Although answers do not bring their son/brother back it does put some rest to the agonizing torture of not knowing. I’ll say this, even if this particular youth’s death did turn out to be a true accident (and I don’t feel it will) a full investigation would still bring education to the dangers of these acts. It would help to be made known that the actions of Fraternities/sorority WILL NOT BE TAKEN LIGHTLY and will be investigated at the maximum level needed! Wouldn’t this help to make fraternity/sorority’s think twice before following through with actions (even if not hazing but still dangerous)? An investigation is very much needed here.
Please keep me updated on this!! Thanks so much Hank!
Kelly Henson http://www.idahopress.com/news/state/ui-student-drowns-in-n-idaho/article_d3ef110b-451d-5be0-8749-037c75e3615d.html
Kelly,
Your letter touched me and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Keep up the good fight to always find the truth. Thank you for taking up this most important fight for our young people.
Robin K. Ashley