Penn State Frat Death
Follow the latest Penn State Frat Death news, videos, and analysis from ABC News.
6 years ago

3 former Penn State University fraternity brothers sentenced in hazing death

More than two years ago, Tim Piazza died after falling down a flight of stairs at an alcohol-fueled fraternity party.
6 years ago
VIDEO: 3 former Penn State University fraternity brothers sentenced in hazing death
6 years ago

Anti-hazing law named after Penn State fraternity pledge goes into effect

Tim Piazza died after a fraternity hazing ritual at Penn State in Feb. 2017.
6 years ago
Timothy Piazza, center, with his parents Evelyn Piazza and James Piazza in Flemington, N.J., Oct 31, 2014.
7 years ago

Parents of Penn State hazing victim lobby for stricter laws against hazing rituals

As millions of students head back to school, some parents are taking aim at hazing on college campuses.
7 years ago
Timothy Piazza, center, with his parents Evelyn Piazza and James Piazza in Flemington, N.J., Oct 31, 2014.
7 years ago

Parents of Penn State hazing victim reach settlement with fraternity

Timothy Piazza, 19, died in February 2017 after taking part in a hazing ritual known as the "Gauntlet."
7 years ago
Timothy Piazza, center, with his parents Evelyn Piazza and James Piazza in Flemington, N.J., Oct 31, 2014.
7 years ago

Frat member who pleaded guilty in hazing death escapes jail time

Ryan Burke, 21, who pleaded guilty for his role in the 2017 hazing death of pledge Tim Piazza, was sentenced to 27 months of probation, house arrest, community service and a $3,000 fine.
7 years ago
VIDEO: Frat member who pleaded guilty in hazing death escapes jail time
7 years ago

Penn State frat member faces no jail time over pledge's death

The first member of a Penn State fraternity to be sentenced in connection to the death of a pledge will not face any jail time.
7 years ago
7 years ago

Penn State frat member won't face jail time in pledge's death

Ryan Burke was the first of more than 20 members of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity to be sentenced in connection to criminal charges related to the death of Tim Piazza, who died in February 2017.
7 years ago
VIDEO:  Penn State frat member won't face jail time in pledge's death
7 years ago

Ex-frat member pleads guilty in hazing death

Former Penn State fraternity member Ryan Burke has entered the first guilty plea in connection with the death of pledge Tim Piazza.
7 years ago
VIDEO: Ex-frat member pleads guilty in hazing death
7 years ago

Penn State student pleads guilty to 9 charges in hazing death

The Beta Theta Pi fraternity member is one of 26 students charged in the death of Tim Piazza.
7 years ago
VIDEO: Penn State student pleads guilty to 9 charges in hazing death
7 years ago

Fraternity members accused of hazing return to court

Prosecutors are working to reinstate involuntary manslaughter charges against five Penn State fraternity brothers in connection to the 2017 death of Timothy Piazza.
7 years ago
VIDEO: Fraternity members accused of hazing return to court
7 years ago

Pa. AG wants some manslaughter charges restored in pledge's hazing death

Altogether, 26 defendants face charges related to Tim Piazza's death.
7 years ago
A bicyclist rides past Pennsylvania State University's shuttered Beta Theta Pi fraternity house in State College, Pa., Nov. 9, 2017.
7 years ago

Manslaughter charges dismissed in Penn State hazing case

Pledge Tim Piazza died in Feb. 2017 after he fell down stairs at the frat house.
7 years ago
This Oct. 31, 2014 photo shows Timothy Piazza, center, with his parents Evelyn Piazza, left, and James Piazza, right, during Hunterdon Central Regional High School football's "Senior Night" at the high school's stadium in Flemington, N.J.
7 years ago

Video of Penn State pledge chugging alcohol from night he suffered fatal frat house fall shown in court

Tim Piazza, 19, died after a fall at the Beta Theta Pi house in 2017.
7 years ago
This Oct. 31, 2014 photo shows Timothy Piazza, center, with his parents Evelyn Piazza, left, and James Piazza, right, during Hunterdon Central Regional High School football's "Senior Night" at the high school's stadium in Flemington, N.J.
7 years ago

Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman represents the community that includes Penn State, where 19-year-old pledge Tim Piazza died last year after attending a bid acceptance ceremony at Beta Theta Pi.
7 years ago
Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman represents the community that includes Penn State, where 19-year-old pledge Tim Piazza died last year after attending a bid acceptance ceremony at Beta Theta Pi.
7 years ago

Parents who lost children to alleged hazing incidents call for change: 'It could be anyone's child'

"It could be anyone's child who this happened to," said a dad whose son died.
7 years ago
Timothy Piazza, center, with his parents Evelyn Piazza and James Piazza in Flemington, N.J., Oct 31, 2014.
7 years ago

Penn State officials showed a 'shocking apathy' to drinking, grand jury report finds

A grand jury's report following the drinking death of a Pennsylvania State University student says school officials showed "a shocking apathy" to drinking and hazing.
7 years ago
Penn State's former Beta Theta Pi fraternity house on Burrowes Road sits empty after being shut down in State College, Pa., April 4, 2017.
7 years ago

The report, released Friday by a Pennsylvania district attorney, recommends a number of changes that Penn State should undertake in the wake of the Feb. 4 death of 19-year-old Tim Piazza.
7 years ago
VIDEO: The report, released Friday by a Pennsylvania district attorney, recommends a number of changes that Penn State should undertake in the wake of the Feb. 4 death of 19-year-old Tim Piazza.
7 years ago

The University of Houston's Pi Kappa Alpha chapter is accused of forcing a freshman pledge to go without food, drink and sleep during a three-day ritual in 2016
7 years ago
VIDEO: Fraternity faces criminal indictment after alleged hazing
7 years ago

The new charges in the death of pledge Tim Piazza are the result of an investigation into newly recovered surveillance video from the Beta Theta Pi fraternity house basement, authorities said.
7 years ago
VIDEO: Ex-Penn State fraternity brothers face new charges in hazing death
7 years ago

New charges were announced against 17 former Penn State fraternity brothers in connection with video from the night of pledge Tim Piazza's death.
7 years ago
VIDEO:  Penn State hazing death: Former fraternity brothers face new charges
7 years ago

Former Penn State fraternity brothers face new charges in hazing death

Sophomore Tim Piazza died after a night of pledging in February 2017.
7 years ago
Timothy Piazza, center, with his parents Evelyn Piazza and James Piazza in Flemington, N.J., Oct 31, 2014.
7 years ago

Additional criminal charges were announced against Beta Theta Pi fraternity brothers as a result of the investigation into deleted surveillance video from the basement of the fraternity house on the night of Tim Piazza's death while pledging.
7 years ago
Additional criminal charges were announced against Beta Theta Pi fraternity brothers as a result of the investigation into deleted surveillance video from the basement of the fraternity house on the night of Tim Piazza's death while pledging.
8 years ago

The Piazza family speaks out about new developments in the case and are more determined than ever to seek justice for their son Timothy.
8 years ago
VIDEO: Judge dismisses most serious charges in alleged hazing death of pledge Timothy Piazza
8 years ago

A judge dismissed the most serious charge in the case in which student Tom Piazza died after a night of heavy drinking.
8 years ago
VIDEO: Stunning court decision in Penn State hazing death
8 years ago

Charges came after the death of 19-year-old fraternity pledge Tim Piazza.
8 years ago
Charges came after the death of 19-year-old fraternity pledge Tim Piazza.
8 years ago

Involuntary manslaughter and aggravated assault charges have been dropped against eight former Penn State University fraternity members in connection with the death of a pledge at the fraternity house earlier this year.
8 years ago
VIDEO: Involuntary manslaughter and aggravated assault charges have been dropped against eight former Penn State University fraternity members in connection with the death of a pledge at the fraternity house earlier this year.
8 years ago

Former Penn State frat member no longer charged in hazing case: 'No winners here'

Charges came after the death of 19-year-old fraternity pledge Tim Piazza.
8 years ago
Timothy Piazza, center, with his parents Evelyn Piazza and James Piazza in Flemington, N.J., Oct 31, 2014.
8 years ago

More than a dozen members of a now-banned Penn State fraternity are expected to find out today whether they will stand trial in the death of 19-year-old pledge Timothy Piazza.
8 years ago
VIDEO: Judge to make key ruling in Penn State hazing trial
8 years ago

State College Police Detective David Scicchitano testified that some surveillance footage from the Beta Theta Pi house, where Penn State student Tim Piazza fell down stairs and later died, appears to have been deleted.
8 years ago
VIDEO: Penn State frat brother may have deleted video
8 years ago

Footage revealed of pledge Tim Piazza taking part in an alleged hazing ritual called "The Gauntlet" was deleted two days after his death.
8 years ago
VIDEO: Crucial deleted video revealed in court for Tim Piazza case
8 years ago

Penn State frat brother may have deleted basement video in hazing death, detective says

A detective said surveillance footage from the house of shuttered fraternity Beta Theta Pi house may have been deleted by one of the fraternity brothers.
8 years ago
Beta Theta Pi fraternity house at Penn State.
8 years ago

A detective testified in court Thursday that surveillance video had vanished.
8 years ago
A detective testified in court Thursday that surveillance video had vanished.
8 years ago

Father of Penn State hazing death victim expresses frustration with hearings

The family said lawyers suggested hazing was "an acceptable norm."
8 years ago
James Piazza, right, his wife Evelyn, center, and son Michael, left, discusses the death of his son, Penn State University fraternity pledge Tim Piazza, during an interview in New York, May 15, 2017.
8 years ago

Penn State hazing case: 'Excruciatingly difficult' for Piazzas to hear details in court, attorney says

Timothy Piazza, 19, died in February after a fall at the Beta Theta Pi house.
8 years ago
Timothy Piazza, center, with his parents Evelyn Piazza and James Piazza in Flemington, N.J., Oct 31, 2014.
8 years ago

One former fraternity member charged in connection with the death of pledge Timothy Piazza, 19, allegedly texted his girlfriend after Piazza suffered an injury, "I don't want to go to jail for this."
8 years ago
VIDEO: Ex-Penn State frat member's texts revealed in court
8 years ago

Ex-Penn State frat member's text: 'I don't want to go to jail for this'

Eighteen students are facing charges in connection with Timothy Piazza's death.
8 years ago
Beta Theta Pi fraternity house at Penn State.
8 years ago

Eighteen Penn State students are facing charges in connection with the death of Timothy Piazza after a campus fraternity pledge ceremony.
8 years ago
VIDEO:  Alarming texts ex-Penn State frat member allegedly sent during hazing
8 years ago

Text messages were released in court showing conversations between frat brothers after pledgee Timothy Piazza fell head first down a flight of stairs after an alleged hazing ritual called "the gauntlet."
8 years ago
VIDEO: Text messages released in Penn State involuntary manslaughter case
8 years ago

The 18 former fraternity brothers will appear in court again to face charges in connection with the death of 19-year-old pledge Timothy Piazza, who fell down a flight of stairs after alleged hazing at the Beta Theta Pi fraternity house.
8 years ago
VIDEO:
8 years ago

The 18 former students will head back to court, where a judge will decide whether there is enough evidence for the case to go to trial.
8 years ago
VIDEO: Penn State frat brothers charged in hazing death due back in court
8 years ago

Penn State frat surveillance video from night of pledge's fatal injuries played in court

Eighteen students are facing charges in connection with Timothy Piazza's death.
8 years ago
This Oct. 31, 2014 photo shows Timothy Piazza, center, with his parents Evelyn Piazza, left, and James Piazza, right, during Hunterdon Central Regional High School football's "Senior Night" at the high school's stadium in Flemington, N.J. Prosecutors in Pennsylvania are set to announce, May 5, 2017, the results of a grand jury investigation into the death of the Penn State student, Timothy Piazza, who fell down steps Feb. 4, during an alcohol-fueled pledge ceremony.
8 years ago

Baseball league renames award in memory of Penn State frat pledge who died after fall

The award was presented to four winners this past weekend.
8 years ago
The Readington Township, New Jersey, Junior Baseball League renamed its sportsmanship award in honor of Penn State sophomore Tim Piazza. The awards were presented June 10, 2017.
8 years ago

Surveillance video from the night Tim Piazza died during an alleged hazing ritual was played in court.
8 years ago
VIDEO: Pretrial hearing for Penn State fraternity brothers accused of involuntary manslaughter and assault
8 years ago

Eighteen students are facing charges in connection with Timothy Piazza's death.
8 years ago
Eighteen students are facing charges in connection with Timothy Piazza's death.
8 years ago

Eighteen former fraternity members are due in court today as they face charges in the death of 19-year-old Timothy Piazza, who died after a night of heavy drinking and alleged hazing.
8 years ago
VIDEO: Ex-Penn State fraternity members due in court
8 years ago

A 19-year-old pledge Tim Piazza died in February after an alleged alcohol-fueled hazing ritual.
8 years ago
VIDEO: Pretrial hearing for Penn State frat brothers charged with involuntary manslaughter and assault
8 years ago

A court will hear arguments Monday on whether there is enough evidence against a dozen members of the now-banned fraternity to go to trial.
8 years ago
VIDEO: Hearing to take place in Penn State fraternity-hazing death
8 years ago

Penn State proposes new safety reforms after pledge's death

Eighteen students are facing charges in connection with Timothy Piazza's death.
8 years ago
Jim and Evelyn Piazza, right, stand by as Centre County District Attorney Stacy Parks Miller, second from left, announces the results of an investigation into the death of their son Timothy Piazza, seen in photo at right, a Penn State University fraternity pledge, during a press conference, May 5, 2017, in Bellefonte, Pa.
8 years ago

Penn State students' preliminary hearings pushed back to June in hazing death case

Preliminary hearings for the 18 Pennsylvania State University students charged in connection with the death of Timothy Piazza have been pushed back to June.
8 years ago
This Oct. 31, 2014 photo shows Timothy Piazza, center, with his parents Evelyn Piazza, left, and James Piazza, right, during Hunterdon Central Regional High School football's "Senior Night" at the high school's stadium in Flemington, N.J. Prosecutors in Pennsylvania are set to announce, May 5, 2017, the results of a grand jury investigation into the death of the Penn State student, Timothy Piazza, who fell down steps Feb. 4, during an alcohol-fueled pledge ceremony.
8 years ago

Piazza's parents, brother and girlfriend open up about Piazza's life, his tragic alcohol-related death and his last moments.
8 years ago
Timothy Piazza, center, with his parents Evelyn Piazza and James Piazza in Flemington, N.J., Oct 31, 2014.