LSU Suspends Frat Pledging After Freshman's Death

Louisiana State University freshman Maxwell Gruver arrived at the Phi Delta Theta house in the hope of being admitted to the fraternity as an official member. Instead, he ended up at the hospital, where he died Thursday morning. Gruver, an 18-year-old pledge from Georgia, had been taken from the fraternity late Wednesday or early Thursday after an alleged hazing incident, report the Times-Picayune and Atlanta Journal Constitution. Though it isn't clear how he died—an autopsy is scheduled for Friday—LSU President F. King Alexander says "there are allegations that Maxwell's death was related to hazing" and involved alcohol.

Alexander, who stresses that details of the case are still evolving, says that "pledging and all social activities on and off campus" have been suspended and that school authorities "are investigating this matter with the utmost seriousness." Phi Delta Theta's national office is also investigating. "The chapter and any individuals who are found to have violated our policies will be held accountable," a rep tells CNN. LSU's chapter has a live-in house mom, though it isn't clear if the individual was present during the incident. Officials say the fraternity, which is on the university campus, did not have any registered events with the school on Wednesday. (More hazing stories.)