Authorities have started investigating the death of a 21-year-old student at Buffalo State College that is believed to be connected to a suspected hazing incident, according to the New York Daily News. Bradley Doyley, who was a business major and a basketball player, died in hospital on Thursday after an illness that was allegedly caused by taking part in a fraternity hazing ritual.
Doyley was admitted to Buffalo General Medical Center last month after complaining of an undetermined illness, according to Buffalo News. Authorities have not released details regarding the exact nature of the illness or the results of the autopsy, but other students at Buffalo State have suggested that a drink that he was given as part of a hazing ritual for fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha may have been the cause.
"I was in the weight room and heard he was pledging and was made to drink some type of toxic substance," college football player Dametrius Brown told Buffalo News. "I keep hearing different stories. First it was detergent, then some said sewer water. I'd see Bradley every day."
While it is still unclear as to whether Doyley died in connection with the fraternity pledging rituals, Michael Myers, Doyley's former basketball coach from the High School of Sports Management in Gravesend has stated that he believes there should be consequences for those connected to Doyley's death.
"If these allegations are true, I feel strongly that these kids should stand trial," Myers told reporters, "They took away a life."
Katherine Conway-Turner, the president of Buffalo State College, said in a statement that the college had suspended the fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha and that they would support the investigation into Doyley's death. She also wrote that the loss of the student would be "felt throughout our community" and that Doyley was "well regarded by his peers, professors, and former coaches."
