The family of an 18-year-old UC Santa Barbara freshman who police say was allegedly raped and throttled is pleading with investigators to move quickly before key witnesses scatter for summer break, warning that critical evidence may vanish once the academic year ends.
Background
UC Santa Barbara, long dubbed "America's top party college," has been grappling with an alleged sexual assault that has sent shockwaves through its campus community. The attack reportedly occurred on May 9 after the victim and an unidentified suspect met at a Sigma Pi fraternity party in Isla Vista, the college town adjacent to the university.
According to attorney Tyrone Maho, who represents the victim's family, the coed left the party around 10 p.m. and was seen with her alleged attacker at Tropicana Gardens dormitory between 10:36 and 11:05 p.m., where authorities believe the assault took place. The victim called 911 that night to report the attack.
The family has retained private investigator Michael Claytor amid concerns that the UCSB Police Department may not have sufficient resources to pursue the still-unsolved case. They are also pushing for the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department to join the investigation, arguing a larger agency with broader experience is needed to track down the perpetrator.
The family's call for additional law enforcement involvement comes as they cite another unresolved campus incident: the death of Elizabeth "Liz" Hamel, 18, a UCSB freshman who suffered fatal injuries after falling from a third-floor breezeway at San Rafael Residence Hall on February 14, 2025. The family fears the university could mishandle cases in similar fashion.
Students and community members gathered for a candlelight vigil in Greek Park on May 26 to honor the survivor and demand accountability in the investigation.
The Investigation
UCSB Police reported the incident on May 10, one day after authorities believe the assault occurred. However, investigators have yet to publicly identify a suspect or make an arrest in the case.
Maho said the victim's parents have not been notified by campus police of any updates in the investigation despite mounting pressure from the family and the public.
"With the strangulation and a sexual assault, it looks like clearly an attempted murder," Maho said. "Having him at large is not safe for my client or for the community."
Key Takeaways
- The alleged attack occurred May 9 after the victim met her attacker at a Sigma Pi fraternity party in Isla Vista
- Police believe the assault took place at Tropicana Gardens dormitory between 10:36 and 11:05 p.m.
- No suspect has been publicly identified and no arrests have been made despite pressure from the victim's family
- The family retained private investigator Michael Claytor amid concerns about campus police resources
- Family is pushing for Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department to join the investigation
What's Next
Classes at UC Santa Barbara are set to end within days, raising urgent concerns among the victim's family that witnesses and potentially the suspect may leave the area. Maho said the family fears evidence crucial to solving the case could disappear once students disperse for summer break. The UCSB Police Department has not announced any timeline for resolving the investigation.
The campus community continues to await answers in a case that has rattled student confidence and prompted calls for greater transparency from university authorities.