Last updated: May 10, 2025. HN
Update: From 1737 to 2025, there have been at least 29 adult deaths in Mason and other clubs (16 deaths confirmed; one uder investigation by me), the military (10 deaths), and on-the-job (3 deaths).
VIDEO: Daniel Reese by Hank Nuwer
1)_1737
Philadelphia Masons
Hazing prank
June 15, 1737. The first known hazing death in America. Daniel Rees was hazed on June 13, 1737, and died of burns and shock two days later. https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-02-02-0036
Daniel Rees was killed by thrown boiling liquid during a faked initiation in which he had to kiss the backsides of the pranksters and submit to other indignities.
Freemason Benjamin Franklin’s reputation was tarnished in The American Mercury when he admitted to laughing at the cruel prank instead of ordering the hazers to desist.
The entire tale is told in Hank Nuwer’s “Hazing: Destroying Young Lives” (Indiana University, 2018).
2) 1890 (January)
Royal Arch Masons
Huntington, W.V.
Death during initiation for the Royal Arch degree
The Rev. J. W. Johnson of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Huntington, WV died of injuries days after he fell to his death during a climbing stunt during his initiation.
3) 1896
Iowa Elks, Des Moines
Hazing Prank
Bizarre death of Edward W. Curry following an “initiation” by the Elks. He was “accidentally” fried in an electric chair stunt. Cause of death was blood poisoning due to infection. He died November 19, 1896. He was an Iowa state Democratic party chair at the time of death.
4) 1899
Toledo, Ohio
Catholic Young Mens Association
Rough hazing resulting in fatal lung hemorrhage
On his deathbed, Charles Steinele accused CYMA members of punching him in the dark as the cause of his wounds that led to his death, May 16, 1899. During physical hazing during the initiation, he was hit and tripped. “When the lights were turned on, he had a hemorrhage of the lungs. He never recovered from this, and they occurred frequently until he died.” The Lindsborg Record (Kansas), May 19, 1899; (and many other newspapers)
5) 1899
Carbondale, Illinois
Select Knight of the Royal Arch (a trade society for liquor sellers and salesmen)
Killed during initiation by explosive device
During initiation ceremonies, a sort-of “paddle” with a gun barrel four inches long was employed with a single 32-calibre cartridge that explodes upon an intentional tap. Apparently, traveling salesman Gus Giesek, the initiation’s master of ceremonies, accidentally mishandled the device and shot William Lafayette Deason (1849-1899), a Civil War veteran, in the right hip. Infection set in and Deason “died in awful agony,” according to the article “Initiation Killed Him,” Mercersburg (Pa.) Journal, December 1, 1899.
Note: Sept. 9, 2024. Due to a typo, numerous newspapers nationwide mistakenly identified the victim as “Lafe Doason, a saloonkeeper from DeSoto,” IL
6) 1913
Birmingham, Alabama
Loyal Order of Moose
Hazing deaths Initiates Donald A. Kenny and Christopher Gustin were being given a prank initiation in which both thought they had consented to a branding. Although they passed out, the initiation continued with deadly consequences, according to the Pittston Gazette (July 25, 1913).
7) 1917
Hammond, Indiana
Brotherhood of All Railroad Employees
Initiation death
New member William Nelson, a laborer, was killed by an electric shock when he was ordered to don copper-soled shoes through which an electric current was then introduced.
8) 1917
Birmingham, Alabama
Loyal Order of the Moose
Initiation death
Donald A. Kelley died from an electric shock after contact with a so-called “branding board.”
9) 1929
Chicago, Illinois K
Knights of Columbus Initiation death
Tossing candidates into the air on blankets and so on was once a common form of horseplay during initiations. John C. Van Sistine, 25, suffered a broken neck. Van Sistine had been married during the previous year.
10) 1934
Camden, N.J.
Colored Els of Camden
Samuel A. Wilson died after being strapped into an electric chair.
11) 1942
Baltimore
Independent Benevolent Protective Order of the Elks
Physical hazing
Cephas Mills, 19, an African-American youth, died during his initiation by some 30 members. He was placed on an electrified hot seat with current set high enough to kill him. It was under police investigation. I am trying to find out if anyone was charged with a crime. Newspaper account below.
12) 1945
McKeesport, PA
Colored Elks Lodge,
Initiate Allen Singleton died of a massive heart attack while members were shocking him with an electric razor. Members were released after an investigation. Source: Pittsburgh Post Gazette, July 5, 1945.
13) 1972
Chilliwack, B.C., Canada
Tribal dancing rites
Edwin Gabriel George, 32, a Canadian Indian, died December 18, 1972, after inhaling vomit likely caused by brain damage during intense initiation rites.
14) 1977
Unorganized “fort” club, suburban Washington, D.C.
Fatal alcohol initiation
Apparently inspired by a drinking initiation on the TV show “Happy Days,” Stephen O’Donnell, 15, chose a bottle of vodka for his drink of choice. Fellow club members, all young teens, failed to revive him after he passed out and died, according to the December 1, 1977 Danville Register.
15) 1981
Fairmont City, Illinois
Sons of Satan motorcycle club
Fatal alcohol initiation
St. Clair County Coroner James Radden blamed a club drinking initiation for the deaths of Charles Wright Jr., 24, and Elijah L. Lawson, 33, both of East St. Louis.
16) 2004
Patchogue, NY
Southside Masonic Lodge 493
Shooting death during hazing
Accidental shooting death of new member A shooting during a bizarre “William Tell” ritual with live ammunition at Southside Masonic Lodge 493 killed William James, 47. The shooter served no prison time.
Not Confirmed below: May 10, 2025
1902
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Modern Woodmen of America
The organization paid Mrs. Mary J. Lewis $2,500 for his death by necrosis after being injured in an initiation by the Cooperville chapter. [Sedalia Weekly Democrat, Nov. 6, 1902]
Searching for husband’s name and more verification.
______________
Occupational Hazing
17)_1946
SS Frederick Galbraith work ship
Crossing the Line ceremony, non-military
Occupational hazing
Teenage workers Leroy Robert Bragg, 14, and Stanford Fluit, 16, died from an overdose of saltpeter meant as a joke during a ship’s hazing at the Equator.
Other crewmen became ill but lived. Survivors were Milton Fleishman and Harry Rose
18) 2004
Occupational Hazing
Denton County, Texas
Republic Energy Drilling Company
In 2004, a fatal occupational initiation in Denton County, Texas, led to a jury trial that ended with a 38-year-old drilling rig hazer receiving an 18-year prison sentence—only two years less than the maximum penalty the law allowed. 23-year-old Shawn Davis, a new employee of Republic Energy Drilling Company, was hooked to a cable by veteran workers and then accidentally tossed and dragged to his death.
19) 2022
Occupational Hazing
Central Arkansas
Police Academy death due to multiple non-criminal causes during a hazing activity called a hazing “smoke session” in full gear under blazing hot heat. A coverup, lying about the training, and a lack of accountability make it a throwback to hazing practices of old. Vincent Parks of the Jonesboro Police Department died while training July 17, 2022.
“The hazing of police officers and lying to cover up the horrendous, humiliating abuse of a police officer and protector of justice is not going to be swept away by ALETA’s self-serving findings that the conduct by its instructors was acceptable,” wife Christina Parks said in a statement.
Read more about the hazing incident here.
Too late but Arkansas Gov. bill may prevent future police cadet deaths.
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Deaths at West Point, Naval Academy, etc. are at regular Hazing Deaths Pages, 1838-Present
Sept. 27, 2024 Update: Death in 1929 added to list. Hank Nuwer, Moderator
20) 1929
New Jersey National Guard
Sea Girt, New Jersey
Head injury
The traditional blanket toss of Private Philip Rosen of Paterson ended in tragedly when he slammed his head on the ground, the concussion killing him. The death brought an order top down to cease the initiation.
21) 1932
Navy Hazing
Crossing the Line ceremony
Hazing with electricity
Seaman Russell Barnwell Wiebye died in “a playful initiation” in which an electric current was administered to shock him.
22) 1945
Military Hazing
Crossing the Line ceremony
Electrocution
Shipfitter 2C Jack P. Jarosz died while touching an electrified trident during the King Neptune portion of his hazing for the U.S. Navy, according to the San Bernardino (CA) County Sun (April 3, 1946). He was also kneeling on an electric plate charged with 115 volts of electrical charge. No surprise: A lieutenant was cleared of wrongdoing by Navy Brass. See Richmond Palladium Item, October 3, 1946.
23) 1960
Military Hazing
Dunking ceremony for new National Guard member
Drowning
SPL 4C Walter R. Van Vickle screamed “I can’t swim” as five veterans stripped him and threw him into deep water. The five were charged with involuntary manslaughter. The National Guard declined to order a court martial for the five.
24) 1967
Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Unofficial Officers Club initiation
Alcohol-related suffocation death
An alcoholic concoction made up of seven bottles of champagne and five bottles of vodka resulted in the death of paratrooper Lt. Ronald Greer Reeves, 23, of Charleston, S.C. His comrades were initiating him during a so-called “Prop Blast” to celebrate his first qualified jump. As a result, General Harold Johnson, Army chief of staff, issued orders for close observation during any initiations in which liquore is part of the “festivity.” Johnson said alcohol during initiations “lost their purpose and sometimes result in tragedy.” Reeves was listed as: 2d Lieutenant – Battery B, 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery, 82d Airborne Division. Reeves was a graduate of Clemson University.
The young man’s death was condemned in the Congressional Record.
It also was condemned by Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara.
However, Secretary of the Army Stanley R. Resor and General Harold K. Johnson. deplored the death but claimed initiations”serve a useful role in developing esprit and a sense of unity within military units.”
25) 1986
5th Regiment, Royal Artillery, Dortmund, West Germany.
Alcohol overdose during initiation
On November 15, 1986, new recruit Gunner Anthony Savage, 18, stopped refusing to drink and guzzled a concoction of spirits from a size 15 boot. When he agreed to drink a stupendous amount of alcohol from a size 15 boot and nearly collapsed, all thought it was “normal” and no one called for assistance. He perished in the barracks of the 5th Regiment, Royal Artillery, Dortmund, West Germany. No one intervened, including his superior, as he chugged from a size 15 (U.S.) boot.
Lance Bombardier Colin Warner filled the boot with varieties of hard liquor. The coroner called those who caused his death “irresponsible” but refrained from recommending criminal charges.
26) 2011
United States Marines
Hazing Suicide after mental and physical abuse.
Lance Corporal Harry Lew was a suicide by a self-inflicted wound after fellow Marines punished him for falling asleep on sentry duty. A judge punished participants but found cause to doubt that the hazing was directly responsible for Lew taking his life. Adam Holcomb was found not guilty.
27) 2011
United States Marines
Suicide after Physical hazing
Chinese-American Danny Chen allegedly was targeted for hazing in his outfit and killed himself.
28) 2016
United States Marines
Muslim dies following reports of heavy hazing
Recruit Raheel Sidiqui death reported by New York Times Magazine.
29) 2017
Green Beret,
Involuntary homicide during a hazing punishment session
Army Staff Sgt. Logan Melgar, a Green Beret, stopped breathing while being taped and beaten by comrades in Mali. The first was sentenced in June 2019 to one year in prison. One perpetrator later behaved in a creepy manner with the widow. Thank you to Lt. Col Dan for your correction.
