A Buffalo State College student named Bradley D'Oyley died in the hospital Thursday after being admitted nearly a month ago for an undisclosed illness that may have been brought on by hazing.
D'Oyley, 21, fell ill in late January while he was pledging for his school's Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity chapter. The Buffalo News reported on Friday that students at the school said he consumed a mixed drink during a pledge event, but it is unclear what was in the drink or if that is what hospitalized him.
Police stated the autopsy was completed, but his cause of death was not determined and that they are actively investigating the matter, the newspaper reported. Buffalo State is also investigating and suspended APA Delta Epsilon chapter pending the results.
"With a heavy heart, I regret to inform you that Buffalo State College student Bradley Doyley passed away at Buffalo General Medical Center last night," Buffalo State College President Katherine S. Conway-Turner said Friday in a statement. "He was a valued member of the Bengals men's basketball team during his first two and a half years on campus and was well regarded by his peers, professors, and former coaches. His loss will undoubtedly be felt throughout our community. My heart goes out to his cherished family and friends."
In a statement issued shortly thereafter, Conway-Turner confirmed the school and police are investigating "an allegation of hazing involving Alpha Phi Alpha and Bradley Doyley at an off-campus location."
Dametrius Brown, a football player at Buffalo State, told The Buffalo News he believes D'Oyley was hospitalized after drinking a "toxic substance."
"I was in the weight room and heard he was pledging and was made to drink some type of toxic substance," he said. "I keep hearing different stories. First it was detergent, then some said sewer water. I'd see Bradley every day."
The APA fraternity states on its website it "strictly prohibits hazing in any form whether physical or mental as a term or condition of membership in the organization." The fraternity also does not allow pledging and encourages anyone with information about possible instances of such behavior to leave an anonymous tip.
D'Oyley was from Brooklyn, N.Y. and was on track to graduate in the spring with a degree in business.