Three Northern Arizona University students who held leadership roles in the Delta Tau Delta fraternity were arrested on hazing charges after an 18-year-old student was found dead following a fraternity-related gathering in Flagstaff.
Flagstaff police were called at 8:44 a.m. Saturday to a home in the 10 block of South Pinegrove Road after reports of an unresponsive male. According to police, people inside the residence began CPR before officers arrived, and first responders continued life-saving efforts until paramedics reached the scene. The student was pronounced dead there. His name was not released, though authorities confirmed next-of-kin notifications had been completed.
Investigators determined the student had attended a fraternity event at the residence the night before as part of NAU’s spring recruitment period. Police said the gathering was connected to Delta Tau Delta and involved alcohol consumption by multiple attendees, including pledge candidates and the deceased student.
As the investigation unfolded, detectives executed search warrants at the house and conducted several interviews. Three fraternity executive board members — vice president Ryan Creech, treasurer Riley Cass, and new member educator Carter Eslick, all 20 — were arrested and booked into the Coconino County Detention Facility on charges of hazing.
Arizona law treats hazing as a class 1 misdemeanor, but when it results in a death, the charge can be elevated to a class 4 felony. For a first-time, non-dangerous offense, that carries a possible prison sentence ranging from one year to 3.75 years, with probation also an option. Police said the investigation remains active as they work with the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the official cause and manner of death. Anyone with information has been asked to contact Flagstaff police or Silent Witness. Authorities say further updates will be released as the investigation progresses.
In a statement, the university said: “Northern Arizona University is mourning the tragic death of a student on Saturday. This is a devastating loss, and our hearts are with his family, friends and all members of our community who are grieving. We are aware that the Flagstaff Police Department has announced criminal charges against three NAU students in connection with an incident that occurred at an off-campus residence associated with the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. We appreciate the diligence of the Flagstaff Police Department as they work to establish the facts and pursue accountability, and NAU stands ready to support the investigation as it unfolds. We want to be clear: The safety and well-being of our students remain our highest priorities. Violence, hazing or any other behavior that endangers others has no place at NAU.”
Northern Arizona University placed the Delta Tau Delta chapter on interim suspension, citing alleged violations related to hazing, alcohol, harm, off-campus conduct and other student code policies. The fraternity had returned to NAU in 2020 after a four-year absence and now joins other Greek organizations previously suspended for similar violations. Delta Tau Delta’s international organization also confirmed the local chapter remains on interim suspension while both criminal and internal reviews continue, emphasizing that hazing violates the fraternity’s core values.
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