Three executive board members of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity have been arrested on hazing charges following the tragic death of an 18-year-old freshman during a rush event at Northern Arizona University. The unidentified student was discovered unresponsive at the fraternity house, located approximately one mile from the NAU campus, early on Saturday morning.
Emergency Response and Arrests
Flagstaff police were called to the scene at 8.44am after bystanders inside the residence had already initiated CPR on the victim. Officers continued life-saving measures until paramedics arrived, but the young student was pronounced dead. The subsequent investigation revealed the freshman had been attending an invite-only dinner at the Delta Tau Delta house on Friday evening, which marked the conclusion of the fraternity's spring recruitment week.
Police have since arrested three 20-year-old members of the fraternity's executive board: New Member Educator Carter Eslick, Vice President Ryan Creech, and Treasurer Riley Cass. All three have been booked into the Coconino County Detention Facility as detectives continue their investigation and await the official cause of death from the medical examiner's office.
Community Reaction and University Response
Neighbors described a significant emergency response to the scene, with one resident noting the presence of multiple ambulances, police cars, and fire trucks. "I knew something was very, very wrong," the neighbor told reporters, adding that this was the first time anything of this severity had occurred at the property.
University officials have called the death "devastating" and immediately suspended the Delta Tau Delta chapter from campus activities. In a strongly worded statement, NAU emphasized that "violence, hazing or any other behavior that endangers others has no place at our university." The institution is conducting its own review through student conduct processes separate from the criminal investigation.
Student Perspectives and Support Services
Students expressed shock and grief over the incident, with one describing it as "daunting" that a fellow student could lose their life during what should have been a celebratory period. "It feels like it was preventable, shouldn't have happened," another student commented, noting the victim had not even completed their first full year of university.
The university has made counseling services and support resources available to students and staff affected by the tragedy. Officials have urged anyone struggling to seek help during this difficult time and requested privacy for the grieving family.
Fraternity Leadership and Historical Context
Delta Tau Delta International Fraternity CEO Jack Kreman issued a statement prohibiting the NAU chapter from all activities during the investigation. The organization "strongly rejects" hazing, stating that such behavior betrays the trust fundamental to fraternity brotherhood.
This incident follows a pattern of hazing-related suspensions at Northern Arizona University. According to university records, Delta Chi fraternity is currently suspended through 2029 for multiple violations including hazing and alcohol offenses. Sigma Pi faces suspension through 2028 for similar infractions, while Phi Delta Theta and Tau Kappa Epsilon have previously served multi-year suspensions before being allowed to return to campus.
Even the university's Division III Ice Jacks hockey team faced a one-year suspension in 2022-2023 for hazing, causing harm, and alcohol violations. These repeated incidents highlight ongoing challenges with Greek life culture at the institution despite official policies condemning such behavior.
The investigation continues as authorities work to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the freshman's death during what was advertised as a recruitment conclusion event. The tragedy has sparked renewed conversations about fraternity culture, student safety, and institutional accountability at universities nationwide.
