Dartmouth fraternity suspended over death investigation

Efforts to reach spokespersons for the fraternity were not immediately successful on Wednesday morning.

According to The Dartmouth, both groups were placed on “alcohol probation” last fall for violating social rules, and a school spokesperson told the student newspaper that Jang’s group was still on probation at the time of his death.

According to the New Hampshire Department of Fish and Game, Jang’s friends said they last saw him Saturday night at an “informal social gathering” on the docks near the Dartmouth boathouse on the river.

Jang was reported missing on Sunday when he failed to show up for a scheduled appointment. Then investigators found items near the dock that indicated he had not left the area. They used an underwater camera to locate his body.

In an interview, Hanover Police Chief Charles B. Dennis said that university administrators had forwarded at least one anonymous email to his department suggesting that alcohol or hazing may have been involved.

“We would look at this in any investigation anyway,” Dennis told the Boston Globe on Monday, “but it will certainly be part of our investigation as we thoroughly investigate this premature death.”

In an email to the campus community, Dean Scott C. Brown said Jang embraced the academic and personal opportunities “wholeheartedly.”

“We understand this is very difficult news for our community and encourage you to seek support, whether you need a listening ear or guidance to get through this difficult time,” he wrote. “We have been in touch with Won’s fraternity brothers and other friends.”

The college distributed mental health and crisis response information to the campus community.

Anyone with information regarding the ongoing police investigation is asked to call Hanover Police at 603-643-2222.

Steven Porter can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him @Reporterporter.