- Sign up for our US Editor's Picks newsletter to get all the biggest exclusive stories
- See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source
A California college student died from apparent alcohol poisoning after attending a party at a fraternity that was not officially recognized by his school, police said.
asserted
police → sign → school
Anthony Joseph Blas, 18, had just started his first semester at California State University, Fullerton (CSUF), located just east of Los Angeles, before going to the party earlier this month.
asserted
Blas → start → party
At 12.07am on September 13, he was dropped off at a local emergency room while unresponsive, according to the Fullerton Police Department.
uncertain
he → drop → Department
Hospital staff attempted life-saving measures but were unsuccessful, and he was pronounced dead.
asserted
he → attempt → measures
Detectives began investigating and soon determined that Blas had gone to 'a function at an unaffiliated fraternity' that night, police said.
asserted
police → begin → fraternity
'Alcohol consumption appears to have been a contributing factor' in Blas's death, though his official cause and manner of death will be determined by the Orange County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office, according to the Fullerton Police Department.
uncertain
cause → appear → Department
Authorities did not specifically name the 'unaffiliated fraternity' Blas went to, but the intersection police said they responded to is where the Delta Chi frat house is located, the Orange County Register reported.
asserted
Register → name → fraternity
The fraternity's national office told the outlet that it does not officially recognize the Delta Chi chapter at CSUF, and the university's website states that it stopped recognizing the chapter in 2021 due to nine violations.
asserted
it → tell → violations
Those violations included hazing or conspiracy to haze, and use, possession, manufacture or distribution of illegal drugs and alcohol.
asserted
violations → include → drugs
Anthony Joseph Blas, 18, died from apparent alcohol poisoning earlier this month shortly after beginning his first semester at California State University, Fullerton (CSUF)
On the night he died, Blas reportedly attended a party at the university's Delta Chi fraternity chapter, which is not officially recognized by the fraternity's national office or the university
uncertain
which → die → office
The chapter stopped being recognized by CSUF in 2021 due to nine violations, including hazing allegations.
asserted
chapter → stop → allegations
Blas (second right) is pictured with family at his high school graduation
asserted
Blas → picture → graduation
The fraternity's national office told the Orange County Register: 'Delta Chi has proactively worked with university officials to make students aware that no active Delta Chi chapter exists at California State University, Fullerton.
asserted
chapter → tell → University
We fully support a thorough and transparent review of the facts by the appropriate authorities.
asserted
We → support → authorities
Anthony’s family deserves answers, and all those affected deserve a complete understanding of the circumstances surrounding this tragedy.'
asserted
those → deserve → tragedy
The Daily Mail has reached out to Delta Chi's national office for further comment.
asserted
Mail → reach → comment
Although the fraternity's chapter stopped being recognized by the university due to hazing allegations five years ago, the Fullerton Police Department said: 'At this time, hazing is not considered to be a factor, and there is no evidence to suggest foul play.'
asserted
hazing → stop → play
But Fullerton Police Sergeant Ryan O’Neil told the Orange County Register: 'Obviously… things could change' over the course of the investigation.
uncertain
things → tell → investigation
In a statement to CBS News, Blas's family said: 'We are asking for a complete and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Anthony's death.'
asserted
We → say → death
The family also said that despite what police have reported, they 'are deeply concerned that hazing may have played a role' in Blas's death.
uncertain
hazing → say → death
'One of the most troubling questions for our family is why 911 was not called when Anthony was found unresponsive,' the statement went on.
asserted
statement → call → family
Blas's family said they 'are deeply concerned that hazing may have played a role' in his death.
uncertain
hazing → say → death
The student is pictured with family
The family said they are hoping to raise awareness about 'fake, underground, and unrecognized fraternities and organizations.'
asserted
they → picture → fraternities
Blas is pictured when he was a little boy
'
asserted
he → picture → ?
We want to know what happened in the hours leading up to his death, who was present, when those present realized he was in distress, and why 911 was never contacted.'
'
asserted
911 → want → distress
At this time, we are not making conclusions about the responsibility of any individual.
asserted
we → make → individual
We are asking for facts, accountability, and answers,' the statement added.
asserted
statement → ask → facts
CSUF also shared a statement with the outlet that said: 'Cal State Fullerton is aware of the death of a student that occurred over the weekend at an off-campus residence.
asserted
that → share → residence
Blas's family has organized an online fundraiser to help cover 'any costs that have come with this sudden tragedy' and use surplus funds to help raise awareness about 'unrecognized fraternities and organizations.
asserted
that → organize → fraternities
'
'Our hope is to work with lawmakers, educators, and communities to push for stronger awareness and education for incoming college students, especially freshmen, about fake, underground, and unrecognized fraternities and organizations,' the fundraiser states.
asserted
fundraiser → work → fraternities
On the fundraising page, Blas's family described him as 'a fun, loving, and unforgettable person,' who 'had so much life ahead of him.
asserted
who → describe → him
'He loved playing football along with his twin brother.
asserted
He → play → brother
He was excited about his future and the dreams he was just beginning to build for himself,' the family added.
asserted
family → begin → himself
The Aporia
