Dartmouth suspends fraternity after student’s death while police investigate bullying allegations

Dartmouth College student Won Jang was found dead in the Connecticut River over the weekend. (AP Photo/Jimmy Golen)

Dartmouth College has suspended a fraternity after a student died following a joint event over the weekend while police investigate allegations of hazing.

Beta Alpha Omega fraternity and Alpha Phi sorority were suspended from New Hampshire College after 20-year-old Won Jang was found dead in the Connecticut River on Sunday.

“Dartmouth has suspended two Greek organizations, Beta Alpha Omega and Alpha Phi, while investigations continue, and we are working closely with the Hanover Police Department, who are leading the investigation,” a Dartmouth spokesperson said in a statement Tuesday.

Hanover police and fire departments responded to a report of a missing Dartmouth student around 3:15 p.m. on Sunday.

Jang was last seen at the river piers around 9.30pm on Saturday.

First responders found Jang’s body about 20 meters off the coast at around 7:30 p.m. on Sunday.

“The entire Dartmouth community is mourning the tragic loss of Won Jang,” the Dartmouth spokesperson said. “Our counseling team has been assisting the family since yesterday, and Dartmouth is providing all possible support to Won’s parents, family and friends.”

Preliminary police investigations have shown that no third-party negligence is suspected; however, the Hanover police are investigating reports of harassment.

“There is evidence that alcohol was involved, certainly from witnesses,” Hanover Police Department Officer Charles Dennis told WMUR.

“We received an anonymous email from the college this morning that this may be a case of hazing,” he added. “So we will definitely look into that aspect as well.”