Tragic Fraternity Incident: College Student’s Death Leads to Major Hazing Investigation and Arrests

The tragic death of an Arizona college student has resulted in the arrest of three individuals following an off-campus fraternity gathering. This somber event unfolded last weekend, casting a shadow over the community.

On Saturday, January 31, at approximately 8:45 a.m., officers from the Flagstaff Police Department responded to a distress call concerning an 18-year-old Northern Arizona University (NAU) student. The young man was discovered “unresponsive” at a residence located on South Pine Grove Road in Flagstaff.

According to the police statement, bystanders in the house had already initiated CPR in an attempt to revive the student before the authorities arrived. Officers continued these life-saving efforts until paramedics took over upon their arrival. Despite these attempts, the student was pronounced dead at the scene, as confirmed by the authorities.

This unfortunate incident occurred during an event associated with the Delta Tau Delta fraternity, leading to the arrest of three fraternity members. The identity of the deceased student has not been disclosed at this time, as the investigation continues to unravel the circumstances surrounding this heartbreaking loss.

An 18-year-old Northern Arizona University student was found dead at an off-campus Delta Tau Delta fraternity event, leading to the arrest of three members, in Flagstaff, Arizona on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, according to authorities. (Google Maps)

Investigators later learned the student “attended a gathering at the residence the previous evening, identified as a ‘rush’ event for the Delta Tau Delta fraternity,” where several individuals – including the deceased student – consumed alcohol, FPD said. 

The incident led to the arrest of three Delta Tau Delta fraternity members, according to police. 

20-year-old students Carter Eslick, Riley Cass and Ryan Creech were each taken into custody and charged with hazing in connection with the student’s death, FPD said in the statement.

Students walk along a sun-dappled pedestrian pathway on the Northern Arizona University (NAU) campus in Flagstaff, Arizona, on Sept. 10, 2025.  (iStock)

Hazing is defined, in part, as the “submission of members or prospective members to potentially dangerous or hazardous circumstances or activities” that may result in personal injury, according to NAU. 

Detectives are still working to determine the student’s manner and cause of death, the FPD said.

In a statement, NAU called the student’s death a “devastating loss,” while adding “our hearts are with his family, friends and all members of our community who are grieving.”

Students walk along a sun-dappled pedestrian pathway on the Northern Arizona University (NAU) campus in Flagstaff, Arizona on Sept. 10, 2025.  (iStock)

The university also acknowledged the arrest of three of its students and revealed the campus’ Delta Tau Delta fraternity chapter has been suspended “to allow a full investigation to take place and prioritize student safety.” 

“We want to be clear: The safety and well-being of our students remain our highest priorities. Violence, hazing or any other behavior that endangers others has no place at NAU,” the university added.

In 2022, hazing was criminalized in Arizona under Jack’s Law, with offenders risking punishment of up to 3.75 years in prison, according to Fraternal Law. 

The FPD, Delta Tau Delta’s national chapter and NAU did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.