RICHMOND, Va. (AP) 鈥� The family of a Virginia Commonwealth University from alcohol poisoning in a 2021 hazing is suing the fraternity for $28 million.
A police investigation found that Adam Oakes, a 19-year-old who had received a bid to the Delta Chi fraternity, was told to drink a large bottle of whiskey in February 2021. The freshman from Loudoun County was found dead the next morning. The office of the chief medical examiner Oakes鈥� death was caused by alcohol poisoning.
Courtney White, Oakes鈥� cousin, filed a wrongful death suit naming Delta Chi Fraternity Inc., Delta Chi Educational Foundation and the VCU chapter of Delta Chi on Monday, the Richmond Times-Dispatch .
Six members of the fraternity were found guilty or pleaded guilty to misdemeanor hazing or providing alcohol to a minor. None of them received jail time. Charges against another five members were dropped.
VCU Delta Chi in June 2021, and in September, the university with the Oakes family for nearly $1 million.
鈥淭oo many families like ours have lost their sons and daughters to these senseless and dangerous hazing rituals,鈥� the Oakes family said in a statement. 鈥淥ur hope is that one day we and all the other families who have been impacted by hazing can look forward to a day when such senseless deaths no longer occur.鈥�
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