When they first arrive on school, COLLEGE freshman frequently look for sororities and fraternities as a means to blend in and establish friends.
One student at Baruch College discovered the fraternity of his dreams, but his quest for a sense of identity ultimately took his life.
Who was Michael Deng? Baruch College student
According to US News, Baruch College, a four-year public institution in New York City, had 15,859 undergraduate students enrolled as of Fall 2021.
It is a well-liked option for students who live in the Big Apple and is placed No. 14 on US News’ ranking of the Best Colleges in Regional Universities North.
Queens resident Chun “Michael” Deng began his freshman year at Baruch College in the Fall of 2013 and has since been described by his family as “a devoted, bright and loving son.”
What happened to Michael Deng?
He was initially enthusiastic, but as the pledging continued, he become “more fatigued” and “less of his natural self,” according to Jay Chen, his former roommate.
“We spoke less. Every time he came home, he was absolutely exhausted and usually fell straight to sleep,” Chen told The New York Times.
He kept going with his pledging adventure despite his tiredness, aiming to get the most out of his collegiate experience.
A number of Pi Delta Psi members rented a home in the Pocono Mountains for the fraternity’s “crossing over” weekend and started hazing the freshmen.
According to CNN, at one time Deng was made to wear a weighted backpack while blindfolded, which ultimately led to his collapse.
He collapsed, banged his head, and was knocked out, which terrified the other members.
They tried to rouse him awake right away using the internet, but they were unsuccessful. He was subsequently taken urgently to a local hospital, where he later passed away.
The national fraternity president allegedly instructed the fraternity brothers to “guard the fraternity and hide all the artefacts” from law enforcement, according to a criminal complaint.
According to CNN, the complaint also claimed that they were told to conceal their cell phones and drug paraphernalia.
According to the complaint, Deng had been unconscious for more than two hours by the time he arrived at the hospital, which a forensic pathologist claimed “substantially led to Mr. Deng’s death.”
His death was classified as a homicide as a result.
Who killed Michael Deng?
Following Deng’s passing, an investigation was launched, and, according to The Washington Post, a Pennsylvania grand jury recommended charging more than 30 persons.
As a result, third-degree murder charges were brought against Kenny Kwan, Charles Lai, Raymond Lam, and Sheldon Wong; however, they ultimately pled guilty to the lesser crimes in exchange for a lighter sentence.
“The family has waited a long time for this important development; nevertheless, nothing that happens will ever bring Michael back,” the Deng family attorney said, via The Washington Post.
“They will continue to pursue justice until each and every one of these young men and the fraternity are held responsible for this tragedy.”
The family later released a statement saying: “Michael was a devoted, bright and loving son, and nothing can undo or lessen the crushing heartbreak of losing our only child to fraternity hazing.
“Michael’s death was absolutely preventable, and our family will, now and forever, do everything in our power to hold these men and their fraternity responsible.
According to NPR, Kwan received a sentence of 12 to 24 months in county jail in January 2018, Lam and Wong received sentences of 10 to 24 months in county jail, while Lai received a sentence of time served after having already served more than 340 days in prison.
According to BuzzFeed News, the fraternity was also given a 10-year operating prohibition in the state of Pennsylvania and fines totaling more than $100,000.
