SUNY Student Dies After Possible Hazing Incident

PORT CHESTER, NY — The University at Buffalo student who was hospitalized after what the school has called a "suspected hazing incident" has died. Sebastian Serafin-Bazan, 18, of Port Chester, had been in critical condition since last Thursday.

Buffalo Police Captain Jeff Rinaldo said his department is investigating whether drugs or alcohol played a part in the incident, according to WGRZ.com, though early toxicology tests showed no drugs or alcohol in the student's system.

UB President Satish K. Tripathi issued a statement Wednesday about Serafin-Bazan, who was a freshman at the school.

"Our hearts go out to Sebastian's family for the devastating heartbreak they are experiencing," he said. "We extend our sincerest condolences to the Serafin-Bazan family and to all of Sebastian's friends here at UB and in his hometown of Port Chester, N.Y. We join them in mourning the tragic loss of a member of our UB family."

A number of students have been interviewed during the police investigation at the off-campus Sigma Pi fraternity house. The Buffalo News has reported that police believe fraternity brothers ordered Serafin-Bazan, who had recently been treated for a respiratory ailment, to perform exercises.

Police are awaiting autopsy results to determined how Serafin-Bazan died.

Neighbors of the frat house said there had been a party hours before Serafin-Bazan was found unconscious on the front lawn, NBC 4 reported.

After Serafin-Bazan was hospitalized, the university said it was suspending official activities of all fraternities and sororities and was launching an internal review into the activities of Greek-letter, social, fraternal organizations at the school.

The review committee will examine each organization's health and safety educational programs, policies and practices with a special focus on anti-hazing.

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