An 18-year-old Northern Arizona University student is dead after attending a Delta Tau Delta fraternity rush event where alcohol flowed freely to pledges, exposing yet another tragic failure of Greek life oversight despite universities’ endless diversity training and prevention programs that somehow never prevent these entirely preventable deaths.
Story Snapshot
- 18-year-old NAU pledge found dead Saturday morning at off-campus fraternity house after Friday rush event involving alcohol consumption by underage pledges
- Three Delta Tau Delta executive board members—Carter Eslick, Ryan Creech, and Riley Cass—were arrested on criminal hazing charges following a rapid police investigation
- Both NAU and Delta Tau Delta International suspended the chapter as autopsy results remain pending from the Coconino County Medical Examiner
- Incident highlights ongoing fraternity hazing crisis despite Arizona’s “Jack’s Law” and federal anti-hazing legislation designed to protect students
Fatal Rush Event Leads to Criminal Charges
The unidentified NAU student attended a Delta Tau Delta recruitment event Friday evening at an off-campus residence on South Pine Grove Road in Flagstaff, where witnesses reported alcohol consumption among multiple attendees, including pledge candidates. Saturday morning, around 8:45 a.m., the student was discovered unresponsive at the residence.
Bystanders initiated CPR before police and paramedics arrived, but first responders pronounced him dead at the scene. Flagstaff Police executed search warrants and conducted witness interviews, leading to the swift arrest of three fraternity leaders on hazing charges.
University and Fraternity Impose Immediate Suspensions
Northern Arizona University suspended the Delta Tau Delta chapter immediately following the student’s death, prohibiting all fraternity activities pending investigation. Delta Tau Delta International Fraternity, through CEO Jack Kreman, imposed an interim suspension on the chapter, emphasizing that hazing represents the “antithesis of brotherhood” and violates core organizational values.
NAU activated support resources, including the JacksCare 24/7 helpline and Lumberjack CARE Center for grieving students. The university conducts its own student conduct review separate from criminal proceedings, though such processes routinely fail to prevent tragedies that destroy families and shatter communities.
Pattern of Preventable Deaths Despite Legislative Reforms
This incident occurred despite Arizona’s “Jack’s Law” and the 2024 federal Stop Campus Hazing Act, legislation specifically designed to combat fraternity hazing dangers through accountability measures. Delta Tau Delta, founded in 1858, maintains publicized anti-hazing policies and requires prevention training.
NAU similarly enforces what it describes as “robust hazing prevention training” and high conduct standards for Greek organizations. Yet an 18-year-old student is dead, three young men face criminal charges, and authorities await autopsy results to determine exactly how alcohol consumption at a recruitment event turned fatal. The tragedy reveals the persistent gap between institutional policies and actual student safety.
A student is dead after an alleged hazing incident at an off-campus fraternity event.https://t.co/3DfAPVStng
— 7News DC (@7NewsDC) February 2, 2026
Investigation Continues as Families Seek Answers
The Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office continues its autopsy to determine the official cause and manner of death. The three arrested fraternity officers—Carter Eslick (New Member Educator), Ryan Creech (Vice President), and Riley Cass (Treasurer)—were booked into Coconino County Detention Facility on hazing charges, though attorney information remains unavailable.
Flagstaff Police maintain an active investigation, requesting public tips through 928-774-1414 or Silent Witness. The deceased student’s name remains withheld pending family notification and privacy considerations.
This case underscores the devastating consequences when organizations prioritize recruitment traditions over the fundamental responsibility to protect young people entrusted to their care, a principle that should transcend any institutional loyalty or brotherhood claim.
Sources:
3 Arizona fraternity leaders arrested on hazing charges following death of 18-year-old pledge
Student Death – Northern Arizona University
