Turning tragedy into progress: 2 moms on a mission to stop hazing

PITTSBURGH — Two moms are on a mission to stop hazing after their sons died during Greek life events.

Evelyn Piazza spoke to University of Pittsburgh students on Monday night.

Her son, Timothy, died at a Penn State fraternity in 2017 when he fell down the stairs at an initiation event involving alcohol.

Piazza’s death resulted in criminal charges against 28 members of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity.

Piazza is touring with Rae Ann Gruver, whose son died after a pledge event at Louisiana State University.

They spoke about the dangers of hazing, how to identify and how to prevent it.

“It’s not a bad thing to report when someone is hazing in an organization, you’re honestly saving someone’s life possibly,” Gruver said.

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The Timothy Piazza anti-hazing law passed in 2018.

It raised the penalties for Greek organizations convicted of hazing.

The event comes a few weeks after a University of Pittsburgh sorority, Delta Zeta, was suspended over reports they hazed new members.

AG wants charges reinstated in Tim Piazza's hazing death AG wants charges reinstated in Tim Piazza's hazing death

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