At Washington State University, where alleged mass murderer Bryan Kohberger was a PhD candidate, a freshman fraternity member was discovered dead in a dorm room amid allegations that he had been subjected to “inhumane and cruel” hazing.
Luke Morgan Tyler was found dead in Perham Hall on the Pullman campus when police arrived, according to the Spokesman-Review.
Dawn Daniels, the assistant police chief at WSU, informed the campus newspaper the Daily Evergreen that while there were no signs of foul play, the cause of death would be determined by the autopsy performed by the Whitman County coroner.
According to Tyler’s friend Emmelie Frausing, he was a Theta Chi fraternity member.
An online petition organized by a group of Tyler’s friends called for the fraternity to be investigated.
“His death directly followed a long and cruel pledging process allowed by his fraternity, Theta Chi. Their inhumane and cruel hazing forced Luke, and many others to do things nobody should ever be forced to do,” the petition says.
“We demand that Theta Chi be investigated, shut down and the fraternity’s president, as well as pledge masters and others with power in the fraternity be investigated for their involvement with the death of Luke Tyler,” it adds.
In an email to the Greek community, Erin Lasher, associate director for the Center for Fraternity and Sorority Life, stated that “these events generate a multitude of feelings; sadness, uncertainty, fear, and fury.”
The Spokesman-Review was approached for comment by the WSU Interfraternity Council, which is in charge of the school’s fraternal organisations.
According to WSU spokesman Phil Weiler, “there has been considerable speculation over the circumstances surrounding this occurrence and the real reason of the student’s passing,” KREM said.
“I would caution the public against speculation at this point in the investigation. The facts in this case are still being gathered. It could be several weeks before the coroner’s office determines the cause and manner of death. We want to ensure that the investigation can proceed unimpeded,” he added.