Statement Regarding the Death of Ryan Abele                                                                                                 

 

The University of Nevada, Reno is a nationally recognized university. The professors are dedicated, talented and engaged. The campus is gorgeous - with rolling hills, views of snow-capped mountains and a beautiful blend of historic buildings and modern facilities.  

 

But let’s be clear: Our son didn't die in an earthquake. Ryan wasn't struck by lightning. This was NOT an 'Act of God'.  Ryan's death was caused by the 'Action of Idiots'.

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It was a planned fraternity event - the ''Big Brother Reveal" - designed to mess with the pledges. There were fifty to sixty active members and alumni in attendance. Thirty active members of the fraternity furnished a bottle of hard alcohol to each of thirty pledges. The president of the fraternity stated that this was their "tradition", that he went through this same event five years earlier. Alumni were present and participated. 

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The fraternity members intentionally plied the pledges with alcohol. Our 18 year old son was given a 750 ml bottle of 100 proof rum. Most of the thirty pledges were so inebriated that they vomited. Many of them were still intoxicated when they were woken up and ordered to go downstairs prior to 6 AM.

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Despite admissions made in recorded police interviews UNRPD, the DA and the City Attorney's Office failed to bring a single criminal charge.

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Thirty (30) pledges were endangered by the idiocy of the fraternity members, yet the university failed to suspend or expel any of the those responsible. 

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The fraternity was shut down for fifteen years. Their playhouse was closed. However, not a single individual has been held accountable.

 

The refusal to enforce the law is inexcusable. The message conveyed by UNR, the District Attorney and the City Attorney's Office in the wake of our son's death is that Hazing is tolerated, ignored and even excused.  

 

Failing to hold individuals responsible perpetuates the behavior. This idiocy needs to stop.

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Jack Abele - Father of Ryan Abele   

 

 

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Hazing Law: https://jackabele1.wixsite.com/ryan-abele/the-botlle-and-the-law 

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https://jackabele1.wixsite.com/ryan-abele/florida-state-vs-unr  Florida State vs UNR

https://jackabele1.wixsite.com/ryan-abele/letter-to-unrpd  Letter to UNRPD

https://jackabele1.wixsite.com/ryan-abele/penn-state-vs-unr  Penn State vs UNR

https://jackabele1.wixsite.com/ryan-abele/accountability-candor  Accountability and Candor

https://jackabele1.wixsite.com/ryan-abele/max-gruver-lsu  Max Gruver LSU - Poisoning

https://jackabele1.wixsite.com/ryan-abele/snakes-sigma-nu-fraternity  Snakes Sigma Nu

https://jackabele1.wixsite.com/ryan-abele/remembering-ryan-1  Remembering Ryan

https://jackabele1.wixsite.com/ryan-abele/hank-nuwer  Hank Nuwer, Professor & Author, “Hazing: Destroying Young Lives.”

https://jackabele1.wixsite.com/ryan-abele/the-lowest-of-the-low  Reno Attorney Jack G. Angaran

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Date of Statement - July 5, 2017 

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