Starkey Family Press Statement

We deeply appreciate the efforts by the San Luis Obispo police and prosecutors to seek justice for the death of our beloved son and brother. Only someone else who has lost a child can begin to comprehend our family's pain and sorrow. Our grief is deepened by the fact that Carson's death was not due to a natural cause like a disease or illness. Carson was an excellent student who aspired to be an architect but also, unfortunately, aspired to become a fraternity member, and he participated in a dangerous fraternity ritual during which he was compelled to drink a fatal amount of alcohol. His death was not caused by "voluntarily" drinking too much, and anyone who might suggest otherwise is misinformed. If Carson or our family had any clue that fraternity initiations were dangerous we would never have supported his consideration to join. We are certain his good judgment would have led him to the same conclusion. But it is only since Carson’s death that we have learned that many young people are hurt or killed as a result of long-standing, dangerous pledging rituals that fraternities refuse to abolish or properly supervise in order to keep students safe. We will honor Carson and other families by doing everything we can to end dangerous misconduct by fraternities and their members. So, today, we express our gratitude to the police and prosecutors for understanding our loss and assisting us in this first of many steps towards achieving change and justice. The Starkey Family