Man’s Death at Berkeley Fraternity House Called ‘Suspicious’

Police say the death of a 23-year-old man who was found unresponsive at the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity in Berkeley early Saturday morning is “suspicious.” The deceased individual was not a current student at UC Berkeley.

According to Berkeleyside, police and paramedics were called to the 2900 block of Channing Way, between Prospect and Warring streets, just before 7:30 a.m., to investigate the death. Police scanners reviewed by the publication indicated that attempts to resuscitate the man using CPR were unsuccessful. Lt. Andrew Rateaver with the Berkeley Police Department reportedly said officers are still trying to piece together what had taken place.

Berkeley’s fall semester had just ended on Friday, December 18.

Berkeleyside notes that although the circumstances of the young man’s death are unknown, “95% of all injuries and deaths at Fraternities nationwide are alcohol-or drug-related,” according to statistics released by the City of Berkeley.

Almost exactly one year ago to the day, 20-year-old Berkeley student Apoorve Agarwal of San Ramon was found dead outside his home after falling down a flight of stairs. He died of blunt force trauma and police believe alcohol was a factor in his death.

Less than three weeks later, UC Davis student Vaibhev Loomba, 20, died at the school’s Zeta Psi fraternity from acute alcohol poisoning.

Earlier this year, the family of Armando Villa sued Pi Kappa Phi and California State University Northridge after the 19-year-old died on a fraternity hike in the blazing sun.

“Our hearts go out to all the deceased’s families, friends and loved ones,” UC Berkeley spokeswoman Claire Holmes reportedly said of Saturday’s tragic incident. “UC Berkeley is awaiting further details regarding the reported death of a young man near the UC Berkeley campus on December 19, 2015. The available information is that the deceased was not a current UC Berkeley student. As information becomes available, we will provide updates.”

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