Brutal hazing suspected in Riverdale youth's death

Almost a year after University at Albany student and Riverdale resident Trevor Duffy tragically passed away, authorities have arrested seven students in connection with his death and charged them with misdemeanor hazing. An eighth was arrested on Nov. 6 and charged with providing alcohol to a minor.

An investigation by Albany police found that members of an underground, unsanctioned fraternity at UAlbany “required, ordered and encouraged” Mr. Duffy and other pledges to drink a full “handle” containing 1.75 liters of hard alcohol. Around 2 a.m. on Nov. 16, 2014, Mr. Duffy was found unconscious, with a blood alcohol level more than seven times the legal limit. He died the next day of acute ethanol intoxication, or alcohol poisoning. The police reports state that several other students were hospitalized.

Albany Police Department spokesman Steven Smith said the eight young men turned themselves in. He expects more, who will face similar charges, to do the same. So far, the men charged in the investigation include: Jonathan Maldonado, 21; Steven Vila and Christopher Lyons, both 22; and Keith Rosengarten, Olaf Jablonski, Yuval Sucov, Joseph Angilletta and Austin Bacchus, all 20.

Hillary Duffy, Mr. Duffy’s sister, said in an e-mail that the family has started a scholarship in the victim’s honor called the Trevor Duffy Memorial Fund.

“The Trevor Duffy Memorial Fund will primarily be used for scholarships for students graduating from St. Margaret of Cortona School and heading to Xavier High School [where Trevor graduated],” she wrote. “It can also be used for other charitable purposes that we believe are appropriate.”

On Oct. 10, the family held an inaugural “cornhole” tournament at St. Margaret of Cortona School to raise money for the fund.

“Over 500 people came to the event, and it was very successful,” Ms. Duffy wrote. “We would like to thank all the people who made that day possible and so successful with their support, with planning, donating, helping out at the event and participating in the tournament.”

According to the Times Union paper in Albany, the Duffy family has filed notice to sue the University of Albany, the State University of New York system, its board of trustees and the City of Albany for negligence, wrongful death and loss of services. The notice states if the lawsuit moves forward, the family would seek $55 million in damages.

“We do not wish to comment on either the recent arrests or the pending lawsuit, except to say that Trevor is missed every day by his family and friends,” Ms. Duffy wrote.