Culolias, Estate of Jack vs. Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and Individual Defendants
19-year-old Arizona State University student and Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity pledge, Jack Culolias, tragically drowned in the Salt River in November 2012.
On Nov. 30, 2012, Culolias attended a “pregame party” at an off-campus apartment complex where underaged pledges and members consumed large quantities of alcohol before they were bused to Cadillac Ranch, according to the suit.
Several under-aged pledges and members “were visibly intoxicated when they arrived” Fraternity members and pledges switched wristbands so that the under-aged pledges were served alcohol.
Culolias was last seen around the time he got kicked out of the restaurant/bar that night, and the only physical clue of his whereabouts was a single red shoe, which was found by Culolias’ mother who had come into town from California.
On December 16, a body was spotted in a river next to a shopping center, and it was identified as Culolias — who was wearing the other red shoe.