Fraternity says it has found no evidence of hazing in student death

A statement issued Saturday by the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity at Clemson University says the group has found no evidence of hazing in the death of 19-year old freshman Tucker Hipps. Hipps’ body was found last Monday after he was reported missing following an early morning run with members of the fraternity. According to the statement, the fraternity said it has completed the first phase of its internal investigation and have found no evidence of hazing, consistent with an earlier statement from Sheriff Mike Crenshaw who also says it doesn’t appear hazing played a role. Oconee County Coroner Karl Addis, in his autopsy report, indicated Hipps died of a head injury consistent with a fall. Police have speculated that Hipps might have tried to jump between spans of the bridge he was running on and fell into the lake.