A report published in the San Diego Union-Tribune calls into question the thoroughness of the San Diego State University Police Department’s investigation into the death of 19-year-old Dylan Hernandez after he attended a fraternity party.
Hernandez died Nov. 8, 2019, following an event hosted by the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. At some point during the night, he fell out of his bed at his dorm in Tenochca Residence Hall. He was found unconscious the next morning and was pronounced dead the following day.
The medical examiner’s office later identified the cause of death as blunt force injuries of the head. It remains unclear whether alcohol was a factor.
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According to the Union-Tribune, which obtained a copy of the investigative report through the Hernandez family’s lawyer, university police did not interview any members of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity despite finding videos on Hernandez’s phone depicting violent hazing and excessive drinking.
The Union-Tribune notes that the police did not seek warrants for students’ cell phones or social media records despite possessing suspicious text messages between fraternity members.
In an email to KPBS, university police spokeswoman Raquel Herriott said the investigation report received by the family is not complete.
“The preliminary, incomplete police report was provided to a representative of the Hernandez family in an effort to be as supportive and transparent with the family as possible,” Herriott said. “Details of the incomplete report, released late last year, were not meant to be shared with the public as it compromises our ongoing investigation.”
The Hernandez family’s attorney George Kindley could not be reached for comment on Monday.
Herriott also emphasized that the investigation is still open and is awaiting “further leads” like the toxicology report and the final autopsy report.
In the meantime, University Police is asking anyone with more information about Hernandez’s death to contact them immediately at policeinvestigations@sdsu.edu or by calling (619) 594-1991.
