I had a question from a writer regarding recent cumulative numbers in fraternity hazing deaths with regard to alcohol presence.
Numbers may be too low to conclude “alcohol and hazing” trends in my opinion but it is worth looking at.
In summer I will find out via FOIA if alcohol was a factor in the 2 of 18 deaths* where it MIGHT have been a factor but officers did not report alcohol use to my knowledge.
2004-2012 Hazing and alcohol
14 of 18 possible hazing or pledging-related deaths 2004-2012 directly involved alcohol and hazing among pledges and/or members
2 of 18 apparent hazing-related deaths 2004-2012 have little or ZERO evidence alcohol was a factor.
2 of 18 deaths by apparent hazing 2004-2012 MiGHT have possible alcohol use but investigation by officers did not focus on alcohol use, making two cases inconclusive re alcohol use during pledging. (I will do a FOIA check in summer to see if alcohol was issue–at least in the coroner’s estimation. The two are at Lenoir-Rhyne and Cal-Irvine).*
The numbers may be too low to make more than anecdotal conclusions. But let us give the 18 a look.
Thus, what do we know? 14 of 18 deaths 2004-2012 definitely were hazing-and alcohol-related, but two of the 18 had ZERO publicized evidence that hazing/w/alcohol was a factor.
Two deaths* were, in my opinion, not as thoroughly investigated with regard to alcohol use as most other hazing cases have been but perhaps the coroners’ reports may shed some additional light.
Can we draw any conclusions about hazing deaths from this relatively low number of deaths? Perhaps not. Number is very low. We also need to get the coroner conclusions on the two deaths I have questions about with regard to whether alcohol was present in pledges or members at time of death. Thanks. Moderator.
