LOS ANGELES, July 20 (Reuters) - The former president of a disbanded southern California fraternity will not face criminal charges after a student died on a grueling hike during an initiation rite for the group, the Los Angeles Times reported on Monday.
The Los Angeles County district attorney said there was insufficient evidence to charge Alex Terzibachian with hazing or involuntary manslaughter, the Times reported, citing documents from prosecutors.
Terzibachian was president of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at California State University, Northridge, when 19-year-old Armando Villa died last July.
Villa was "pledging," or joining the chapter, and was made to hike in the Angeles National Forest on a hot day without adequate water or supplies, authorities have said.
However, prosecutors said Villa ran away from the group without telling Terzibachian or the other pledges on the hike. They later found him face down in a culvert, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Prosecutors also said Villa was not denied basic needs, such as sleep, water or appropriate clothing.
Villa's death followed a number of high-profile hazing fatalities in the United States due to physical abuse and forced alcohol consumption, which placed fraternities under heightened scrutiny.
Last year, California State University president Dianne Harrison said an investigation ordered by the university into Villa's death made clear that members of Pi Kappa Phi had engaged in hazing.
Earlier this month, Villa's family filed a negligence lawsuit seeking damages from the university, Harrison, the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, which has since disbanded at the school, and members of the group.
The university is in the Northridge suburb of Los Angeles. (Reporting by Victoria Cavaliere; Editing by Paul Tait)
FILE - In this Sept. 5, 2014, file photo, California State University, Northridge, CSUN, President Dianne Harrison, right, reads a statement regarding Pi Kappa Phi fraternity activities that lead to the death of CSUN student Armando Villa, at a news conference at the CSUN campus in Northridge, Calif. The family of the California college student who died during a fraternity hike sued the organization and the school on Wednesday, July 1, 2015, saying the young man's death was senseless and easily preventable. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.