LSU Greeks suspended indefinitely: Phi Delta Theta pledge succombs to hazing injuries

LSU has announced that freshman, Maxwell Gruver, 18, of Roswell, Georgia has passed on Thursday, September 13 in a “potential hazing incident” according to the LSU media relations director, Ernie Ballard.
Gruver was reportedly taken from the fraternity house and transported to the hospital by a person that was not a paramedic.
A preliminary autopsy found that Gruver had a, “highly elevated blood alcohol level plus the presence of THC in his urine,” a statement made by the East Baton Rouge Coroner’s Office. No cause of death has been released thus far.
Phi Delta Theta has suspended the LSU chapter indefinitely. LSU President, F. King Alexander, also announced late Thursday evening that all Greek activities at the university were suspended “indefinitely, pending the results of a thorough investigation,” he said at a news conference.
“We in the LSU community are grieving today,” President Alexander said at a press conference Thursday. “The death of Maxwell Gruver was tragic and untimely. A young man’s life was cut short last night and we mourn the loss and the possible impact he may have had on our region and the world. Our deepest sympathies and prayers go to his family and his friends. There are allegations that Maxwell’s death was related to hazing, but I want to emphasize that this is an evolving situation. We are investigating this matter with the utmost seriousness. As we have continually warned over and over again, hazing is dangerous, irresponsible and unacceptable and it will not be accepted at LSU, period.”
The fraternity has stated that there will be a full review of policies and procedures after Gruver’s death.
The LSU chapter of Phi Delta Theta was suspended on LSU’s campus back in 2004 for low recruitment by the national headquarters and reinstated in 2006. According to LSU’s student newspaper, The Daily Reveille.
Phi Delta Theta has 183 chapters and 95 alumni clubs throughout the United States.
These chapters have been involved in many controversial stunts. Including one instance in which a member of Phi Delta Theta at Ole Miss made national headlines for snapping a hamster’s neck and preceding to bite off its head. It was captured in a grainy spring break video that went viral back in 2015. In February, an Indiana University of Pennsylvania Phi Delta Theta member choked a fellow member to death during a fight according to the school’s newspaper; The Penn.
Gruver’s high school released a statement in the wake of his death.
“We are deeply saddened to inform you that Maxwell Gruver, class of 2017, passed away today unexpectedly. Please pray for the repose of his soul. Please keep his family in your prayers as well. God of mercy, hear our prayers and be merciful to Max, whom you have called from this life. Welcome him into the company of your saints, in your kingdom of light and peace. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.”