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Hazing Deaths: A Note to the Reader

I uncovered in 2019 many deaths not known to me in 2018 when my last book “Hazing”was published by Indiana University Press. The findings: At least one U.S. school, club or organization hazing death occurred every year from 1954 to 1957 and 1959 to 2019–and many years, multiple deaths have transpired. In other words, a United States hazing death has occurred each year since 1954 except for 1958. Deaths from hazing in the USA far outnumber deaths in Canada and Mexico (and I may make separate categories for those two nations at some point). Since the 1930s, the most hazing deaths have occurred in male fraternities–far more than other groups. –Hank Nuwer

Hank Nuwer’s Chronology of Deaths in North America includes deaths as a result of hazing, initiation, and pledging-related accidents/incidents/pranks. The list has been expanded to include military deaths, adult societies such as Masons and occupational deaths where hazing was involved. Scroll down past the school deaths for these latter hazing incidents.

Every attempt to keep the list current has been made by moderator Hank Nuwer. Certainly some deaths unknown to the moderator may one day be added to the list.  I have added a list of NON-hazing deaths (mainly misreported in newspapers 100 or more years ago) reported erroneously as hazing deaths elsewhere.  Additions and corrections?

Due to the occasional practice of an organization and/or school to deny that a death qualifies as hazing. I have tried to include information for DISPUTED deaths. Let the reader decide if a specific case is hazing or no. I have placed my archives in the H.N. Buffalo State Hazing Collection.

For decades I have pushed for hazing crimes to be reported as hate crimes are reported. This need for mandatory reporting is my passion.

If you have additional research or information on a death listed or not listed here, please email Hank Nuwer.

Finally, my condolences to all families who have lost loved ones so tragically. HN

Contact Inquiries

Hank Nuwer

Correspondence: Hank Nuwer at Hnuwer@hanknuwer.com   Phone number upon request.  Available presentations USA, … Email to book a date.

Books

Sons of the Dawn: A Basque Odyssey: Hank's novel is for teens 11-18 but also meant to be enjoyed by … Read More

Watchdog: Hazing Deaths

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Breaking News: (Updated) Story on alcohol and possibly hazing incident at Bowling Green State University

Sources say  a serious incident will be released by BGSU momentarily. –Hank Nuwer   This is a preliminary story

Family alleges Adam Oakes dies from hazing at VCU: ABC

Here is the LInk Virginia Commonwealth University said it shut down Delta Chi fraternity and the police are investigating after a freshman student was found dead this weekend. Adam Oakes, 19, was found dead at an off-campus residence early Saturday morning by authorities, the university and the Richmond Police Department said in statements. The medical examiner’s […]

Hazing of pledge with a gun shuts down Kappa Sigma: ABC News

A New Mexico State University student has been accused of shooting a classmate in an alleged hazing incident that resulted in his fraternity’s suspension. Miguel Altamirano was charged with felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after he allegedly shot Jonathan Sillas in the leg as he pledged the Kappa Sigma fraternity. Recent Stories from […]

Tallahassee police label December FSU fraternity death an accident, not hazing. Deaths involve FSU SAE and Sig Ep.

Here is the story link The death of a popular Florida State University student found unresponsive inside the Sigma Phi Epsilon house in December has been determined accidental, according to an autopsy released late Tuesday. The District Two Medical Examiner’s Office said the death of William Eppes Proctor, 22, was due to “right epidural hematoma due to […]

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