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FLAGSTAFF, AZ – A Northern Arizona University (NAU) student was tragically found deceased Saturday morning following a fraternity rush event held the previous night. Authorities have since charged three members of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity with hazing in connection with the incident.
Flagstaff Police Department officers responded to a residence near the NAU campus at approximately 8:45 a.m. to find an 18-year-old student unresponsive. Bystanders at the scene were already performing CPR, and life-saving efforts continued with the arrival of paramedics, but the student was pronounced dead at the scene.
Detectives conducting a search of the home and interviewing witnesses have indicated that preliminary evidence suggests the student was a pledge candidate for NAU’s Delta Tau Delta fraternity. The student, whose identity has not yet been released, reportedly attended a rush event Friday evening where alcohol was consumed by many attendees, including pledge candidates.
Following the investigation, police arrested three NAU students holding leadership positions within the fraternity: Carter Eslick, 20, the chapter’s new member educator; Ryan Creech, 20, its vice president; and Riley Cass, 20, its treasurer. All three, identified as executive board members, were booked into the Coconino County Detention Facility and charged with hazing.
The investigation is ongoing, with detectives coordinating with the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the official cause of death. The Flagstaff Police Department is asking anyone with information regarding the incident to come forward.
In response to the tragedy, Northern Arizona University issued a statement on Sunday, announcing the suspension of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity chapter as it conducts its own review. The university acknowledged the “tragic death of a student” and pledged its full support to the police investigation.
NAU emphasized its commitment to student safety, stating, “Violence hazing or any other behavior that endangers others has no place at NAU.” The university highlighted its robust hazing prevention training and high standards for all associated organizations and students.
Delta Tau Delta International also released a statement, confirming its awareness of the ongoing investigation and encouraging its members to cooperate with law enforcement. The fraternity reiterated its clear stance against hazing, describing it as “the antithesis of brotherhood and a violation of the values of Delta Tau Delta,” and noted its long-standing anti-hazing policies.