Police are testing whether hazing was a determinant in the passing of a Dartmouth College student whose body was found in a river over the weekend.
Search Begins for Missing Dartmouth Student
Won Jang was last seen around 9:30 p.m. Saturday near the docks on the Connecticut River and was recorded missing on Sunday afternoon, according to police in Hanover, New Hampshire.
Police recorded that his body was discovered around 7:30 p.m. Sunday, about 65 feet from the shore.
In a declaration conveying condolences to the community, Dartmouth's dean of the college, Scott Brown, remarked that Jang, 20, was a member of the class of 2026 and a biomedical engineering major from Middletown, Delaware, who "enthusiastically took part in the Dartmouth community."
Two of Jang's colleagues contacted in an email to The Dartmouth, the college's student newspaper, that he had cooperated in a combined gathering on Saturday evening arranged by his fraternity, Beta Alpha Omega, and the sorority Alpha Phi, where alcohol was present.
Police Chief Charles Dennis announced that they are investigating the potential involvement of hazing.
He informed the station that there is evidence of alcohol involvement, gathered from witnesses and discussions, which is all part of their ongoing investigation. Additionally, they received an anonymous email from the college suggesting possible hazing, prompting them to explore this angle as well.
Elizabeth Rathburn, the assistant to the chief of police, verified on the phone that inspectors are contemplating hazing as part of their inspection.
Police have declared that the cause of the demise has not yet been concluded but that foul play is not suspected after a primary inspection.
On Wednesday afternoon, police declared that their inspection into this passing in Hanover stays active and continuous. They have interviewed many individuals and are examining all collected evidence.
The department also mentioned that it is waiting for autopsy results "to help in making its decision."
Hazing Investigation Ongoing; Police Withhold Further Comment
Police have not referenced any allegations of hazing in their press statements. The department stated that the matter is part of an active investigation and that it would not provide further immediate comment.
A college spokesperson stated on Tuesday that Beta Alpha Omega and Alpha Phi had been suspended during the investigation.
A spokesperson mentioned that Beta Alpha Omega was under alcohol probation at the time of Jang's death, after serving a suspension that covered the fall, winter, and spring terms. The school is currently in its summer term.
According to the spokesperson, Alpha Phi had been suspended from alcohol-related activities during the fall term 2023 but had since regained good standing.
Beta Alpha Omega and Alpha Phi did not promptly reply to requests for comment.
Lydia Jin, a sophomore at Dartmouth and Jang's girlfriend, characterized him as "the kindest person I've known." They met at badminton tryouts through a mutual friend and formed a band together.
Jang was born in South Korea, grew up there, and moved to Delaware in middle school, she said.
Jin mentioned that Jang aimed to become the first Korean Nobel Prize winner, particularly in science, and had aspirations to cure Alzheimer's. She added that he cared deeply for his friends and family, and his loss is deeply felt by everyone.
Jin declined to comment on the police investigation. She said she was not with Jang on Saturday night but had seen him earlier in the day when he dropped her off on campus and told her he loved her.
She mentioned that Jang was not able to swim.
She expressed that the true narrative is that a tragedy occurred. A life was taken, leading to grief and suffering among those affected, with nothing able to alter what transpired.
Related Article : 14-Year-Old American Teen Goes Missing During a Cruise in Germany
