Police Find 30 Young Men Packed Into Hot Fraternity Basement During Hazing Probe

Madison police found about 30 young men packed into a hot fraternity basement Wednesday night after receiving an anonymous tip about possible hazing there, authorities said.

According to Fox News, officers arrived at the Alpha Epsilon Pi house on Langdon Street around 8:20 p.m. and found the group partially clothed and covered in food, condiments and other liquids.

Several people appeared to have marks or redness that could have resulted from physical assaults, according to police.

The basement thermostat was set to 81 degrees, creating what authorities described as hot and humid conditions. Most of the people inside were 18 years old.

Police declared the gathering unlawful and moved everyone outside before checking the young men for injuries or signs of incapacitation.

Madison Police Capt. Kipp Hartman said he noticed fresh-looking redness and marks on some individuals that appeared consistent with being struck.

Hartman said he did not observe open wounds, and he was not aware of anyone being taken to a hospital for treatment.

The investigation resulted in the arrests of fraternity president Brayden J. Klein, 20, and vice president Samuel N. Vane, 20. Both were taken to the Dane County Jail on allegations of hazing and disorderly conduct.

Investigators have not determined exactly what took place inside the house. Hartman said officers received statements from people at the scene, but some accounts conflicted with others.

“We had limited cooperation,” Hartman said.

The incident occurred during rush week at UW-Madison. Hartman said he believed everyone involved was a university student.

There is also a dispute over the fraternity's relationship with the university. Madison police said the local chapter is not recognized or accredited by UW-Madison and was terminated by the school more than a decade ago.

Alpha Epsilon Pi's national organization, however, said it continues to recognize the Madison chapter. Jonathan Pierce, the fraternity's chief communications officer, told Fox News Digital that members of the chapter remain subject to AEPi's health and safety requirements.

“AEPi Headquarters takes the allegations involving our Pi Chapter in Madison, Wisconsin, extremely seriously,” Pierce said.

The organization said it would cooperate with investigators and expel members found responsible for criminal conduct. AEPi also said hazing has no place in the fraternity and that anyone who participates in it forfeits membership.

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