Police have reportedly issued arrest warrants for nine frat members in connection with the hazing death of a 20-year-old pledge.
According to ABC News, Tallahassee police announced Thursday that the nine men, all between the ages of 20 and 22, face charges for the death of Andrew Coffey, the Florida State University student who died from alcohol poisoning on November 13.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Coffey was pledging for Pi Kappa Phi fraternity when he died at an off-campus party. ABC News reported that FSU shut down all Greek activities in the week following Coffey’s death and Pi Kappa Phi announced that they would be shutting down their FSU chapter.
READ More: ‘Overwhelmed with sadness’: Florida fraternity under investigation after pledge dies
The students, Luke E. Kluttz, Clayton M. Muehlstein, Brett A. Birmingham, Anthony Petagine, Conner R. Ravelo, Christopher M. Hamlin, Anthony Oppenheimer, John B. Ray, and Kyle J. Bauer are being charged with “College Hazing-Cause Injury or Death,” according to WTXL.
Tallahassee police reportedly reviewed all the evidence and consulted with the State Attorney’s Office before filing charges. Leon County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Grady Jordan told the station that all nine men have turned themselves in.
Investigators reportedly learned that Coffey attended “big-little” night which was “traditionally known for excessive alcohol consumption and revelry.” On the night in question, WTXL reported that the 20-year-old was seen drinking a bottle of Wild Turkey 101 bourbon, given to him by his “big,” before passing out.
Along with his “big,” two other frat members allegedly carried him to a couch, where investigators said he “loudly snored.” It wasn’t until several hours later that someone found Coffey dead and called police.
An autopsy determined that Coffey had nearly seven times the legal limit of alcohol in his body at the time of his death.
“This collaborative investigation was critical to finding answers for Andrew Coffey’s family and our community,” Tallahassee Police Chief Michael J. DeLeo said in a statement.
“Hopefully, this investigation and its outcome will prevent another tragedy from occurring.”
[Featured Image: Andrew Coffey/Facebook]
