Dylan Hernandez, the 19-year-old San Diego State University freshman who required medical attention last week after leaving an event at one of the school’s fraternities, has died, campus officials said Monday.

“His family gave their goodbyes,” SDSU President Adela de la Torre said in a statement. “The family has given the university permission today to share this information, and we are working to support them during this incredibly difficult time.

“As a mother, nothing can replace the profound loss of a child, and the devastating heartbreak the family and their loved ones are experiencing. All of us in the Aztec family are sending our prayers, and are here to support the family.”

The statement was sent to the student body and their parents. Hernandez’s friends created a GoFundMe page to accept donations in his honor.


The county Medical Examiner’s Office said Monday, “On the morning of (Nov. 7), the decedent was found pulseless and apneic (temporary suspension of breathing) by his roommate in their dorm room. He reportedly attended a fraternity event the night prior.

“911 was called and the decedent was transported to the Emergency Department at Alvarado Hospital. His death was pronounced on (Nov. 8).”

It was unclear whether alcohol was a factor in the death of Hernandez, a former Jacksonville, Fla., resident who turned 19 in late September.

SDSU has been experiencing disciplinary problems with many of its fraternities, and alcohol has been involved in some cases.


Hernandez had been pledging Phi Gamma Delta, a fraternity that was placed on probation in 2017 “after being found in violation of regulations pertaining to alcohol at off-campus fraternity events,” according to The Daily Aztec, the student newspaper.

The Daily Aztec later reported that all 14 fraternities that make up the Interfraternity Council (IFC) were under a party ban from spring until fall of 2018.

At the time of Hernandez’s death, six of the fraternities had been suspended by the campus for violating SDSU rules, and four were under investigation, according to a SDSU statement.

“This means that a total of 10 of the 14 IFC-affiliated organizations were under some level of elevated judicial status prior to this incident,” SDSU said. “The recent investigation would mark the 11th organization to be on interim suspension or under investigation within the IFC.


“Evidence of discrimination, disorderly behavior, alcohol being served at sponsored events, drug use, the lack of insurance at a major event, and other violations of the student code or law can lead to a suspension.”

De la Torre placed all 14 IFC fraternities under suspension on Friday.

“If this turns out to be alcohol-related, we’ll be talking about the latest instance in which something like this has happened at a fraternity,” said Robert Ottilie, a San Diego attorney who has been involved in trying to reduce such problems nationwide.

“The majority of these deaths can be avoided if the university would simply do their job and effectively protect their students in the first instance, instead of blaming them when they go wrong.”


Hernandez’s death also disturbed Will Fritz, a former editor in chief of The Daily Aztec who co-wrote a searing editorial about the school’s drinking culture last year, as 14 fraternities were emerging from a party ban. The editorial said, in part, “No Greek members or pledges at SDSU have died.

“But if fraternities and sororities’ current lack of concern for the rules continues, it’s a possibility. With it comes the possibility that the university will move to drastically increase restrictions on Greek organizations.

“And that’s something no one wants. Greek life is a huge draw for SDSU. Ask almost any student applying to our campus, and they’ll tell you that they’re interested in at least looking into rushing.”

Fritz added on Monday, “We knew that somebody could die, and now it has happened. I can’t imagine how his parents are feeling.”


The university has not offered a clear, comprehensive explanation of what happened to Hernandez.

De la Torre issued a statement last week that said, “I was devastated to learn that a student was hospitalized on Thursday, November 7, after allegedly attending a fraternity event on Wednesday, November 6.

“We are doing everything we can to support the family during this tragic time, and ask that we all respect the privacy of his loved ones.”

She said “possible misconduct” had occurred, but didn’t go in great detail.


Students responded with grief Monday to the news of Hernandez’s death.

“I feel horribly for his family” said Emily McLaughlin, a 27-year-old graduate student.

“But ultimately this isn’t surprising ... It’s frustrating (that SDSU) has been doing all these things that benefit their public image and advance their property acquisition (SDSU West) but have ultimately done nothing to improve the lives and safety of their students that spend thousands of dollars a year to receive an education.”

Tyler Marbach, a 28-year-old graduate student, said, “This further cements frat culture’s reputation for being somewhat reckless and cavalier towards new students.”


The incident shows that SDSU and our community members need “to begin to formulate these two important questions as it directly effects our students,” said Ruben Mendoza, a 30-year-old master’s degree student.

“One, how can SDSU implement a program to address harm reduction to young lives who are discovering their identity when entering an educational institution that is supposed to protect them?

“And second, how is the educational institution held accountable for no oversight on these types of issues that continue to occur on or near campus?”

Union-Tribune reporter Alex Riggins contributed to this report.