Police in Hanover, New Hampshire are investigating the death of 20-year-old Dartmouth College student Won Jang, whose body was discovered in the Connecticut River over the weekend. Authorities are exploring the possibility that hazing and alcohol may have been involved, leading the college to suspend two Greek organizations during the investigation.
Jang, a biomedical engineering major from Middletown, Delaware, was reported missing on Sunday afternoon, July 7, 2024. Witnesses last saw him around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday near the Dartmouth boathouse on the Connecticut River, where he attended an informal social gathering.
Emergency responders initiated a search operation, and about four hours after Jang was reported missing, dive teams found his body 65 feet from shore. Although police have stated that foul play is not suspected, they are thoroughly investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.
Hanover Police Chief Charlie Dennis revealed that police received several tips, including anonymous emails forwarded by Dartmouth College, indicating that hazing or alcohol might have played a role in Jang’s death. “We have received some emails that were forwarded to us from the college that were sent anonymously listing some of those concerns that hazing or potentially alcohol may be involved, so that will certainly be part of our investigation as we move forward through this process,” Chief Dennis told the media.
In response to these concerns, Dartmouth College has suspended the Beta Alpha Omega fraternity and Alpha Phi sorority pending the investigation. Jang was a member of Beta Alpha Omega, and both organizations were involved in the social event on Saturday night.
Dartmouth College released a statement expressing deep sorrow over Jang’s death: “The entire Dartmouth community is grieving over the tragic loss of Won Jang. Our counseling team has been by the family’s side since yesterday, and Dartmouth provides every possible support to Won’s parents, family, and friends.”
Jang’s girlfriend, Dartmouth sophomore Lydia Jin, described him as the “kindest person” passionate about science and dreaming of curing Alzheimer’s disease. She also mentioned that Jang did not know how to swim, adding to the tragic nature of the incident.
Jang was a bright student involved in the DALI Lab program at Dartmouth, which focuses on innovative projects in design and technology. He was valedictorian of his high school, demonstrating his academic excellence and dedication.
This incident follows a troubling pattern of hazing-related deaths on U.S. college campuses. Studies have shown that a significant percentage of students in fraternities and sororities experience some form of hazing, raising concerns about the safety and culture within these organizations.
The Hanover Police Department continues to investigate Jang’s death actively. They interviewed numerous people and reviewed all the evidence collected. Authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
“We are working closely with the Hanover Police Department, which is leading the investigation,” Dartmouth stated. The college has emphasized its commitment to supporting Jang’s family and friends during this difficult time.
Won Jang’s death is the second incident involving a Dartmouth student found in the Connecticut River this year. In May, Kexin Cai, a 26-year-old doctoral student, was found dead in the river five days after she went missing. Authorities have stated that there is no connection between the two cases.
