Ohio college student dies after alleged hazing incident
An Ohio college student who was in critical condition after an alleged fraternity hazing incident has died, his family's attorney said Sunday.
"The death of Stone Foltz is a tragedy. He was a beloved son, brother, and grandson," Sean Alto, the family’s attorney, said in a statement.
In a later statement, Alto said the firm was investigating "exactly what happened on March 4."
"Investigations involving hazing are complex and take time, but the Foltz family will eventually know the truth," Alto said. "No family is ever prepared to say goodbye, especially under these circumstances."
Foltz had been kept alive for a time so his organs could be donated, which the family had agreed to "so that others may have a second chance at life," Alto's statement said.
Foltz, 20, a sophomore at Bowling Green State University and a new member of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, was allegedly hazed Thursday during an initiation event when he was made to drink alcohol, school officials said.
Bowling Green State University placed the fraternity on interim suspension Friday as it investigates. On Saturday, the school said it was temporarily "suspending all new member intake processes and on- and off-campus social events” for Greek fraternity and sorority organizations.
A statement from Pi Kappa Alpha’s Memphis-based office said it placed the Bowling Green chapter on administrative suspension and would consider permanent suspension as well as expulsion of the chapter's members.
Pi Kappa Alpha said it advised the Bowling Green frat's leaders to cooperate with law enforcement, and would itself cooperate with authorities during the investigation.
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"The International Fraternity is heartbroken about the death of Stone Foltz," the statement said. "No family should have to endure such a devastating loss."
"The Fraternity has a zero-tolerance policy toward illegal activity, substance abuse, bullying, and hazing of any kind," the fraternity's statement said, reminding members to "immediately and confidentially report any hazing or potential hazing or other harmful activity."
Foltz graduated from Buckeye Valley High School in Delaware, Ohio, north of Columbus, in 2019.
Andrew Miller, the superintendent of the Buckeye Valley Local School District, said in a statement Sunday that "Stone was a friend to everyone who was blessed to know him."
"The Buckeye Valley community mourns the loss of this amazing young person," the statement said.
The news comes after a 19-year-old college student, Adam Oakes, was found dead on the morning of Feb. 27 after a fraternity hazing incident at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond.
