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Parents file wrongful death lawsuit against UT Austin frat
The parents of a University of Texas at Austin freshman have filed a wrongful death lawsuit over alleged hazing at a fraternity that they say drove their son into a psychological crisis that ended in his death by suicide.
AUSTIN, Texas - The parents of a University of Texas at Austin freshman have filed a wrongful death lawsuit over alleged hazing at a fraternity that they say drove their son into a psychological crisis that ended in his death by suicide.
The backstory:
18-year-old Sawyer Updike, from Pearland, was recruited and accepted a bid to pledge Sigma Chi in August 2023 through the Alpha Nu Chapter at the University of Texas at Austin.
The lawsuit alleges that Updike was subjected to several months of "horrific hazing" that broke down Updike's physical and emotional health.
"You're not supposed to talk about what goes on during pledging," said Bill Johnston, an attorney representing the family. "These are trade secrets of the fraternities."
The alleged hazing was photographed and recorded, and the lawsuit says it included:
Photos of alleged hazing incidents Sawyer Updike was subjected to by Alpha Nu Chapter of Sigma Chi Fraternity. Photo courtesy Ted B. Lyon & Associates, PC.
- Spearing a large fishhook through Updike's leg
- Repeatedly burning Updike with lit cigarettes
- Coercing and pressuring Updike through fear of cruel punishments to use illegal substances like cocaine
- Forced consumption of gross and dangerous amounts of alcohol
- Physical whippings and beatings
- Piercing Updike's hip with a staple gun
Updike, it's alleged, was subjected to the violent and illegal hazing at the Alpha Nu fraternity house located on Nueces Street in Austin.
"We have a picture of the kid that stapled them before he did it," said Johnston. "I mean, again, they were in some sick way, they were proud of it. They were proud enough to record it."
Hazing is prohibited by Texas law and University policy.
"I think that may have been the unspoken question, 'How much will somebody endure to be part of Sigma Chi?' And it's unbelievably shameful, it's criminal, it violates the law, and there should be an accounting here somehow, a reckoning," said Johnston.
Photo of Sawyer Updike courtesy Ted B. Lyon & Associates, PC.
The lawsuit states that Updike's mental state was in jeopardy and deteriorating when on the first day of the second semester of Updike's freshman year, January 16, 2024, he was given cocaine and psilocybin mushrooms at the fraternity house.
A short time later, the lawsuit states, due to his worsening psychological crisis, Updike drove to a nearby convenience store parking lot and took his own life.
"He committed suicide in January 2024 and, of course, the parents wondered why," said Johnston. "The mother was able to access his phone, talk to some people, and learn that he had been subjected to extreme hazing."
While no evidence has been found of Updike personally reporting any of these instances, at least one complaint was filed with UT that fall. Sigma Chi was already placed on deferred suspension, and the University ultimately decided to close the chapter.
"There's something wrong frankly with someone that would think this is a rite of passage that can be applied to another young person," said Johnston.
What they're saying:
In a news release, Sawyer's mother, Sheryl Roberts-Updike says, "I live every day with the weight of his absence. No parent should ever lose a child, and certainly not because of hazing disguised as ‘brotherhood.’ What happened to Sawyer was cruel, senseless, and preventable. It is unbearable to know that a young man with so much promise was put through something so dangerous in the name of belonging."
"Sawyer’s death will not be in vain. Hazing is illegal for a reason, and its consequences are not hypothetical — they are tragic, permanent, and shattering. I want every parent of a college-bound child to understand the risks that can be hidden behind Greek letters and long-standing traditions. If speaking out saves even one family from this kind of heartbreak, then Sawyer’s light will continue to shine in this world," Roberts-Updike adds.
Dig deeper:
The alleged hazing of Updike happened while the Alpha Nu Chapter was on probation at the University of Texas for hazing pledges the previous year, the lawsuit says.
"We're suing the national fraternity, the local fraternity, and some individuals who were involved in the hazing," said Johnston.
The wrongful death lawsuit names Sigma Chi International Fraternity, Alpha Nu Chapter of Sigma Chi Fraternity at the University of Texas at Austin, Alpha Nu House Corporation (owner of the fraternity house), and five fraternity members, including the then chapter president of Alpha Nu.
The other side:
University of Texas at Austin responds to lawsuit
The University of Texas at Austin released this statement:
"UT Austin is committed to providing a safe educational environment for everyone and does not tolerate hazing by any group or individual affiliated with the University. All such allegations receive the utmost attention and thorough investigation."
A cease-and-desist notice has been delivered to Texas Alpha Nu, the University of Texas at Austin says, based on new information the university received alleging the organization violated the university's Institutional Rules related to hazing during the 2023-2024 academic year.
The university also says it has ordered Texas Alpha Nu to cease all organization activities until it fully investigates the pending allegations.
Sigma Chi International Fraternity issues statement
Executive Director of Sigma Chi International Fraternity Michael J. Church issued a statement as well saying:
"Sigma Chi International Fraternity was devastated by the tragic death of our brother, Sawyer Lee Updike, at the University of Texas in January 2024. In the months that followed, credible allegations of inappropriate behavior from members in that chapter emerged, prompting a thorough investigation by Sigma Chi International Fraternity that resulted in the closure of this chapter and the expulsions of several members of the organization."
"For Sigma Chi, our central principles call us to hold each other to the highest possible standards and to care especially for our brothers. Any individual who fails to do so betrays not only himself but also his brothers and the values we hold sacred."
"As these matters proceed through the court system, we will expect and encourage that any individuals who are found responsible for any of the actions described in it will face the fullest consequences that our justice system demands."
The Source: Information from an email from Robert Riggs, a news release from Ted B. Lyon & Associates, PC, University of Texas at Austin statement, Sigma Chi International Fraternity statement and an interview conducted by FOX 7 Austin's Katie Pratt