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CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — The legal counsel for a fraternity named in two lawsuits stemming from the death of a pledge at Clemson University says some of the allegations made against Sigma Phi Epsilon have not been substantiated.
In a statement released Wednesday, the legal counsel said the fraternity will continue to search for the truth in the death of Tucker Hipps. The statement also said allegations made in the lawsuit have not been substantiated by the fraternity's investigation, or by evidence presented to the national office by Clemson or the Oconee County Sheriff's Office.
The lawsuits are seeking at least $50 million in damages for the 19-year-old's death last September. Hipps died when he fell from a bridge into Lake Hartwell during a Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity run with 29 other students.
Also, a local prosecutor says Hipps' death is now classified as unsolved and has been turned over to the unsolved-cases unit at the sheriff's office.
In a statement released Tuesday, Solicitor Chrissy Adams said that all of the students who were on the fraternity run denied any knowledge of how Hipps fell or that any saw him fall.
"Law enforcement is at a standstill" without further credible leads, Adams said.
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