Roswell teen dies in alleged hazing at LSU

University suspends all Greek activities; police probe student’s death.

Louisiana State University suspended all Greek activities Thursday as police investigate an alleged hazing incident that led to the death of a Roswell teenager.

Officials have not confirmed the cause of death for 18-year-old Maxwell Gruver. The coroner’s office said the freshman was taken to a hospital from the Phi Delta Theta fraternity house Wednesday night.

He was pronounced dead at Our Lady of the Lake hospital Thursday.

LSU President F. King Alexander, who called Gruver’s death tragic, said Thursday evening that the circumstances of his death are under investigation by university police.

Though Gruver, who graduated from Blessed Trinity Catholic High School in Roswell, had

not pledged with the fraternity, Alexander confirmed that alcohol was involved and allegations had been made about a drinking game.

He added that “hazing is dangerous, irresponsible and unacceptable, and it will not be tolerated at LSU, period.”

Hazing, an initiation ritual in which Greek pledges are often humiliated or tortured, has been banned by some national fraternities and universities.

The act has been outlawed in many states, but deaths are still attributed to the practice.

In previous hazing-related incidents, such as the death of 19-year-old Penn State sophomore Tim Piazza, pledges were forced to consume massive amounts of alcohol. Piazza died in February.

In that case, Piazza became so intoxicated that he fell repeatedly down stairs and died of irreversible spleen and brain stem damage, according to the district attorney.

Eight fraternity brothers faced serious charges, including involuntary manslaughter and aggravated assault, but earlier this month a judge threw out those charges.

Now, 14 of the 18 men originally charged in connection with Piazza’s death will stand trial on at least one offense.

Their Penn State fraternity, Beta Theta Pi, is now closed.

Alexander said Thursday that all Greek activities — “that means pledging and all social activities on and off campus” — were immediately suspended indefinitely by the university and the national chapter.

“We’re committed to investigating this situation thoroughly. The chapter and any individuals who are found to have violated our policies will be held accountable,” Bob Biggs, executive vice president and CEO of Phi Delta Theta, said in a statement.

The LSU chapter was founded in 1938 and was suspended in 2004 for low recruitment by the national headquarters, according to The Daily Reveille. It returned to campus in 2006.

East Baton Rouge Coroner Dr. William “Beau” Clark said the office planned to conduct an autopsy today to determine the cause of Gruver’s death.

Maxwell Gruver