The parents of a University of California, Santa Barbara student who said she was brutally raped and strangled after a fraternity party are begging her classmates to come forward with information, warning that evidence could vanish as the academic year ends.
Background
The alleged assault occurred on May 9, when the 18-year-old freshman met her attacker at a Sigma Pi fraternity party in Isla Vista, the college town surrounding UCSB. According to the family's attorney, Tyrone Maho, the victim left the party with the suspect around 10 p.m. and was seen with him at Tropicana Gardens dormitory between 10:36 and 11:05 p.m., where the assault allegedly took place.
The victim called 911 immediately after the incident, Maho said. Police have yet to make an arrest in the case that has shaken students and staff at UCSB, which some have dubbed the nation's top party college.
Students held a vigil in support of the victim as community members expressed frustration with the lack of progress in the investigation. The family retained a private investigator amid concerns about how the university might handle the case following another unresolved student death last year—the death of Elizabeth "Liz" Hamel, 18, who fell from a third-floor breezeway at San Rafael Residence Hall.
The Investigation
UCSB Campus police are leading the investigation but have not identified or arrested a suspect. University police say the incident is under active investigation and that officers have been in direct contact with the survivor's family from early stages.
The victim's parents, through their attorney, expressed distress that no arrest has been made and questioned whether campus police have sufficient resources to solve the case. They called for outside law enforcement agencies to join the investigation before evidence disappears with students leaving campus after finals this week.
"We believe there are others knowledgeable about our daughter's rape and strangulation that will have peace of mind by coming forward anonymously before they leave Santa Barbara after finals this week," the family said in a statement provided to The California Post.
UC Santa Barbara spokesperson Kiki Reyes said reports of crimes on university property are fully investigated by sworn officers of the University of California Police Department, which is certified and accredited. She noted that federal law and university policy prevent the school from discussing specifics of the case but emphasized that campus resources are available to support survivors of sexual violence.
Key Takeaways
- The alleged assault occurred May 9 at Tropicana Gardens dormitory after the victim met her attacker at a Sigma Pi fraternity party in Isla Vista
- Police have not made an arrest despite the victim calling 911 immediately after the incident
- The family believes classmates may have pictures, videos or other information about the attack
- Parents are urging witnesses to come forward before students disperse for summer break
- The university is conducting the investigation while the family has also retained a private investigator
What's Next
Investigators continue searching for evidence and potential witnesses as students prepare to leave campus for the summer. The family's attorney emphasized that time is critical in preserving evidence that could identify the perpetrator. Anyone with information is being asked to contact UCPD immediately.
The case remains under active investigation with no timeline given for when police might make an arrest or announce a suspect.