Here is a breakdown on hazing incidents–Moderator Hank Nuwer
First 100 years: 1838-1938
Total Deaths: 26
PRIMARY CAUSE
Alcohol-related 0
Abandoned in country 1
Drowned 2
Details unknown, mysterious circumstances, perhaps a coverup 3
Vehicle Accident 2
Blindfolded and killed in accident 1
Post-hazing fatal illness 6
Non-affiliated bystander killed 1
Electrocuted 1
Heart Failure 1
Beaten or crushed 5
Throat slit by broken bottle 1
Revenge or self-defense killing during a hazing 1
Longest Period without a hazing death prior to 1939: 1847 death (none in 1848) to 1872 (death in 1873)
1940 – 2012
PRIMARY CAUSE of death listed below. In many cases it is unknown if alcohol had been a factor. Where known, I have indicated same. First alcohol-related hazing death: 1940 (more than 100 years since hazing death). Seventy of 137 deaths by hazing had alcohol as a contributing factor; in the other 67 alcohol either was unreported or not involved.
40 Primarily an alcohol overdose:
1 Scavenger hunt
1 Buried alive
1 Burned to death
2 Water torture (heavy alcohol use reported in both pledge periods)
11 Falls (nine had alcohol as factor)
6 beatings
10 killed during dropoffs (alcohol factor in four deaths)
2 stabbings
15 drownings (nine had alcohol as known factor)
3 post-hazing illnesses
2 choked to death on forced food substances
3 suicides post-hazing
24 auto accidents (5 with alcohol known to be a factor; alcohol in fatalities wasn’t reported as much in earlier years)
10 heat stroke or heart failure related to unusual exertion
3 shot
1 misfired cannon during an otherwise benign initiation
1 electrocution
1 unknown cause (coroner could not determine cause of death)
