University of Minnesota fraternity house death is under investigation

University of Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS โ€” Police are investigating the death of a University of Minnesota sophomore found Wednesday morning in the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity house near the St. Paul campus.

Police spokesman Steve Linders said authorities do not believe foul play was involved, nor do they believe it was caused by hazing or initiation practices. But alcohol could be a factor pending autopsy results, he added.

The 20-year-old manโ€™s identity has not been released, but the fraternityโ€™s national office said he was a sophomore at the university.

Local fraternity leaders notified campus police and local authorities โ€œimmediately after fraternity members discovered the young man was medically unresponsive this morning,โ€ said a written statement from the national office in Kansas City, Mo.

โ€œWe extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones, as well as to our brothers in the University of Minnesota chapter,โ€ said Rex Martin, CEO of Alpha Gamma Rho.

University of Minnesota Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Maggie Towle confirmed that the man was a student, but shared no other details.

โ€œWe are saddened to learn of the death of one of our students,โ€ she said in a written statement. โ€œThe Saint Paul Police Department is leading the investigation of this death. They will handle any related questions.โ€

Police were called about 5 a.m. to the fraternity house in the 2000 block of Carter Avenue. Police found the man dead in the home. Linders said he was unsure exactly where the man was located inside.

Residents reported last seeing the man alive about 1 a.m. Linders said itโ€™s unclear whether the man lived in the house. About 10 residents of the house were questioned at police headquarters and are cooperating.

Homicide detectives are investigating the case because the man was โ€œseemingly healthyโ€ before being found, Linders said.

The fraternity deferred comment to the national office. The group describes itself on a university Greek website as โ€œthe premier social and professional food, agricultural and natural resource sciences fraternityโ€ at the university.

โ€œWe pride ourselves in being the highest quality fraternity through our excellence in academics, athletics, and making better men,โ€ the website said. โ€œGet the best of both campuses and live in a $2.5 million brand new house!โ€

The fraternity reported a membership of 30.

The universityโ€™s Interfraternity Council (IFC), the governing body for 30 fraternities with more than 1,500 men, including Alpha Gamma Rho, did not immediately return messages seeking comment.

Several hours after the manโ€™s body was found, the IFCโ€™s Facebook page shared a post that said: โ€œToday is #myFraternity Social Media Day! Share your story of fraternity experience with over 4 million other brothers by using #myFaternity.โ€

Fall โ€œrush,โ€ or, recruitment for university fraternities, was last week, ending with hopefuls making personal visits to Greek organizations of their liking, and fraternities extending membership invitations as early as Thursday, according to the IFCโ€™s website.

The university urged anyone needing support and counseling to contact Boynton Health or Student Counseling Services for assistance.