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| Armando Villa: Family of student who died in 'hazing' ritual sue California University State Northridge for 'not giving answers' | Armando Villa: Family of student who died in 'hazing' ritual sue California University State Northridge for 'not giving answers' |
| (6 months later) | |
| The family of a student who died during a 'hazing' ritual say they are suing the university and fraternity network because they’ve been kept in-the-dark about how he died. | The family of a student who died during a 'hazing' ritual say they are suing the university and fraternity network because they’ve been kept in-the-dark about how he died. |
| ‘Hazing’ to join groups is a popular practice on American campuses and sees students be harassed, abused or humiliated as a way to of being initiated into a fraternity group. | ‘Hazing’ to join groups is a popular practice on American campuses and sees students be harassed, abused or humiliated as a way to of being initiated into a fraternity group. |
| Last July, 19-year-old Armando Villa pledged to join the Zeta Mu Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi at California University State Northridge (CSUN) – but was first forced to undertake an 18-mile hike through the Angeles National Forest while blindfolded and without adequate shoes, a mobile phone and hardly any water. | Last July, 19-year-old Armando Villa pledged to join the Zeta Mu Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi at California University State Northridge (CSUN) – but was first forced to undertake an 18-mile hike through the Angeles National Forest while blindfolded and without adequate shoes, a mobile phone and hardly any water. |
| When he failed to return back to campus, the alarm was raised and a park ranger later discovered Armando unconscious in a ditch. The teen was rushed to hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after. | When he failed to return back to campus, the alarm was raised and a park ranger later discovered Armando unconscious in a ditch. The teen was rushed to hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after. |
| Now, his family say that, a year on, they still feel confused over the teen’s death and that no-one has come forward to give them any answers. | |
| The family’s attorney, Douglas Aberle, today said they have filed a lawsuit, in LA’s County Superior Court, against Pi Kappa Phi and CSUN over Armando’s death, citing they are seeking ‘unspecified damages’. | The family’s attorney, Douglas Aberle, today said they have filed a lawsuit, in LA’s County Superior Court, against Pi Kappa Phi and CSUN over Armando’s death, citing they are seeking ‘unspecified damages’. |
| They have consistently said since Armando’s death that the university had a duty to oversee fraternity group activities and staff should have been more aware – and put a stop to – the hazing that was happening on campus. | They have consistently said since Armando’s death that the university had a duty to oversee fraternity group activities and staff should have been more aware – and put a stop to – the hazing that was happening on campus. |
| Following an investigation by the university, it was concluded that hazing was the cause of death and that the fraternity organisation in question was permanently closed-down two months after Armando’s death. | Following an investigation by the university, it was concluded that hazing was the cause of death and that the fraternity organisation in question was permanently closed-down two months after Armando’s death. |
| The late student’s mother, Betty Serrat, told The Associated Press today she’s “just looking for a little closure and justice” and added: “They’ve ruined a life and broken a family.” | The late student’s mother, Betty Serrat, told The Associated Press today she’s “just looking for a little closure and justice” and added: “They’ve ruined a life and broken a family.” |
| Two months after Armando’s death, CSUN’s president, Dianne Harrison, offered her condolences to the teen’s family and said: “Hazing is stupid, senseless, dangerous and against the law in California.” | Two months after Armando’s death, CSUN’s president, Dianne Harrison, offered her condolences to the teen’s family and said: “Hazing is stupid, senseless, dangerous and against the law in California.” |
| Following the lawsuit, however, President Harrison declined to comment any further. | Following the lawsuit, however, President Harrison declined to comment any further. |