Three leaders of an Arizona university fraternity have been arrested on criminal hazing charges following the death of an 18-year-old student at a weekend rush event, police said.

The student, who attended Northern Arizona University, was found unresponsive around 8:44 a.m. Saturday at an off-campus Delta Tau Delta fraternity house near the Flagstaff campus, according to statements from the Flagstaff Police Department and the university.

Bystanders and police officers attempted life-saving measures, but the student was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities have not released the student’s name.

Police executed search warrants at the fraternity house and interviewed multiple witnesses. The cause and manner of death remain under investigation, pending an autopsy by the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office.

“Preliminary information indicates the deceased attended a gathering the previous evening identified as a ‘rush’ event for the Delta Tau Delta fraternity,” police said. “Alcohol consumption was reported by several attendees, including pledge candidates, among them the deceased.”

As a result of the investigation, three students all executive board members of Delta Tau Delta were arrested on criminal hazing charges.

Police identified the students as 20-year-olds Carter Eslick, Ryan Creech, and Riley Cass, who were booked at the Coconino County Detention Facility.

It was unclear if they had obtained legal representation as of Sunday.
Flagstaff police said the investigation remains active.

Northern Arizona University expressed condolences, stating, “This is a devastating loss, and our hearts are with his family, friends, and all members of our community who are grieving.” The university confirmed it is aware of both the investigation and the arrests.

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