Wisconsin police probe fraternity hazing after nearly 30 men found in basement
Police near the University of Wisconsin-Madison are investigating alleged hazing after about 30 partially clothed young men doused in food and liquids were discovered in a fraternity basement; two members were arrested.
Madison police have opened an investigation into suspected illegal hazing after roughly 30 partially clothed young men, covered in food, condiments and other liquids, were found in the basement of the Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi) fraternity house near the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus.
Authorities said some of the men, described as fraternity pledges, showed signs of physical assault. Officers arrived at the house on Wednesday night following an anonymous tip. Two 20-year-old fraternity members were arrested on tentative misdemeanor charges of hazing and disorderly conduct, though no formal charges had been filed as of Friday morning.
UW-Madison said it takes all hazing incidents seriously and has launched its own investigation, adding that students found to have violated the law or university policy could face sanctions ranging from a written reprimand to expulsion.
A photo released by police shows about two dozen shirtless men in the basement amid trash and debris, with faces blurred. Police said the basement's thermostat had been set to 81°F, creating hot, humid conditions, and that the walls were painted black. Most of those found were 18 years old.
The fraternity lost its status as a university-recognized student organization in 2015 after holding events while under suspension. It had previously been suspended in 2013 following a party where a 17-year-old and another attendee were taken to detox after being served alcohol. The 2015 termination followed a fourth such incident involving events, alcohol, or both. Since 2016, the university has received seven additional allegations against the fraternity related to sports, disrespectful conduct, drinking and hazing.
Because the fraternity remains recognized by its national organization, it continues to operate as a chapter unaffiliated with the university. National spokesperson Jon Pierce said the organization is treating the allegations very seriously, will fully cooperate with investigations, and will expel any member found to have participated, calling hazing "a betrayal of everything our fraternity stands for."
The house sits just blocks from the main UW-Madison campus, home to about 52,000 students. Both the police investigation and the university's student conduct review remain ongoing.
