Non-hazing fraternal death: MIT quarterback Robert Wells dies

Sat Mar 1, 2008 10:25 pm (PST)
Boston Herald
March 2, 2008

MIT senior dies in plunge from Back Bay frat house

By O’Ryan Johnson

A Massachusetts Institute of Technology senior died after plummeting from
the fifth floor of his Back Bay fraternity house early yesterday morning,
officials said.

The dead man was identified by the college as Robert Wells, 22, a
quarterback on the school’s football team, who was originally from Ballston
Spa, N.Y.

“We are terribly saddened to learn of the death,” MIT executive director of
communications Pamela Dumas Serfes wrote in a statement. “This is a tragedy
for his family, friends and the entire MIT community, and our hearts go out
to all of them during this difficult time.”

Boston police said they responded about 5:44 a.m. to the Delta Upsilon frat
house on Beacon Street, where Boston EMS pronounced the victim dead at the
scene. Police said an investigation into the young man’s death is under way.

In addition to football, Wells played water polo at the college. The
college said he studied brain and cognitive science. A man who answered the
door of the fraternity house declined to comment, and directed calls to MIT.

An MIT student who lives next door said Wells fell from a window on the
fifth floor to a spot in a parking lot. Mourning students gathered in large
groups around tables inside the fraternity house last night. Well-wishers
brought his fraternity brothers several trays of food.