The family of a Texas college freshman has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Sigma Chi fraternity at the University of Texas at Austin, alleging that hazing practices led to the suicide of 18-year-old freshman Sawyer Updike in 2024. According to the lawsuit, Updike, an 18-year-old from Pearland, was subjected to months of ‘horrific hazing’ that included spearing a large fishhook through his leg, puncturing his hip with a staple gun, and pressuring him to ingest illegal substances such as cocaine. The incident reportedly occurred at the Alpha Nu fraternity house in Austin.
The mental health crisis reportedly began when Updike returned home for holiday break in 2023, where his mother and father noticed that he was significantly emaciated and seemed to be in distress. The lawsuit states that Updike’s mental state further deteriorated on Jan. 16, 2024, the first day of the second semester, after he was allegedly provided with drugs, including cocaine and psilocybin mushrooms. Shortly after, Updike drove to a local gas station parking lot and took his own life, leading to the family’s decision to file the lawsuit.
The Alpha Nu Chapter of Sigma Chi Fraternity at the University of Texas at Austin has been placed on deferred suspension due to a previous hazing incident. Following Updike’s death, the university decided to close the Sigma Chi chapter. In a statement to FOX 7, the University of Texas at Austin emphasized its commitment to providing a safe educational environment and its thorough investigation of all allegations of hazing.
Sawyer’s mother, Sheryl Roberts-Updike, expressed deep sorrow over her son’s death, stating that no parent should ever lose a child due to hazing disguised as ‘brotherhood.’ She called the incident ‘cruel, senseless, and preventable,’ highlighting the tragic loss of a young man with great potential.