Police arrested two 20‑year‑old members of an off‑campus Alpha Epsilon Pi chapter after officers acting on an anonymous tip found about 30 partially clothed pledges in a basement, many of them 18 and several showing injuries consistent with assault. Investigators reported the room's thermostat was set to 81°F, creating hot, humid conditions. The university says the chapter has been unaffiliated since 2015 but remains recognized by its national organization; both police and the fraternity say the investigation is ongoing.
Two Arrested After Police Find About 30 Injured, Partially Clothed Pledges in Sweltering Basement
Police said many of the victims had "visible injuries consistent with being physically assaulted." Madison Police Department
Two members of an off‑campus Alpha Epsilon Pi chapter at the University of Wisconsin–Madison were arrested after police say they discovered roughly 30 partially clothed pledges injured and covered in food and other substances in a hot, humid basement.
Details of the Response
Madison police responded to the 100 block of Langdon Street around 8:20 p.m. after receiving an anonymous tip about a gathering at the fraternity residence. Officers who entered the basement reported finding "around 30 other partially clothed males covered in food, condiments, and other liquids," and said "the vast majority of those in attendance" were 18 years old.
The department added that "several of these men had visible injuries consistent with being physically assaulted" and that a thermostat in the room was set to 81 degrees, creating hot and humid conditions. Officers declared the event unlawful and escorted attendees outside.
Arrests, Charges and Chapter Status
Authorities identified the two people booked at the Dane County Jail as Brayden J. Klein and Samuel N. Vane, both 20. Police said the chapter's president and vice president were present that night and spoke with responding officers. Charges include hazing and disorderly conduct; the Madison Police Department said the investigation is ongoing.
The chapter is associated with Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi), a national fraternity founded in 1913. University records cited by The Associated Press indicate the campus chapter was suspended in 2013 after an incident that required alcohol detoxification for a minor and another person, and the university formally terminated the chapter in 2015 for continuing to hold events despite the suspension. The school noted that because the chapter remains recognized by its national organization, it can legally operate off campus as an unaffiliated fraternity chapter.
“Hazing is a betrayal of everything our fraternity stands for. There is no place for it in AEPi. No exceptions. No excuses.” — Jon Pierce, AEPi spokesperson (to CBS News)
Context and Next Steps
While none of the pledges were found deceased during the police response, research cited in the original report notes that hazing has been linked to an average of about five deaths per year in the U.S., with nearly 130 hazing‑related fatalities recorded since 2000 (HazingInfo.org). The Madison Police Department and the fraternity have said they will cooperate with ongoing investigations.
Help us improve.
