College freshman's death in Virginia leads to fraternity's suspension, fuels questions of hazing

Virginia Commonwealth University said it issued a cease-and-desist order to one of its fraternities after 19-year-old freshman Adam Oakes died Saturday morning after a party at the fraternity's off-campus house. CBS News' Chip Reid speaks to Adam's father and cousin, who allege Adam was forced to drink a bottle of whiskey the night before he died.

Each weekday morning, "CBS This Morning" co-hosts Gayle King, Anthony Mason and Tony Dokoupil deliver two hours of original reporting, breaking news and top-level newsmaker interviews in an engaging and informative format that challenges the norm in network morning news programs. The broadcast has earned a prestigious Peabody Award, a Polk Award, four News & Documentary Emmys, three Daytime Emmys and the 2017 Edward R. Murrow Award for Best Newscast. The broadcast was also honored with an Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Award as part of CBS News division-wide coverage of the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Check local listings for "CBS This Morning" broadcast times.

[buzkxll]

this is genuinely extremely sad. I don't care for frat and sorority culture. I'm friends with a couple of guys that are in frats and the amount they drink is insane. I feel like people join as a way to fit in. some of these comments are rude. victim-blaming and stating that nobody forced him. frankly, nobody knows what happened besides adam himself and those involved. but we have all done dumb things in an effort to fit in. this time it, unfortunately, cost him his life. i wish him and his family the best, them seem very close so i know suddenly losing your only child like this has to be heartbreaking

[whatsnext]

These fraternities and sororities need to be abolished. How many times does this have to happen. Really sad.

[laraparks]

People are horrible
I can't take it
My condolences to his family
RIP young man, I hope they do time

[cherrymisha]

So Sorry for your loss. My deepest condolences.

[larasita]

How were they not on lockdown at that college?
Fraternity parties during pandemic times?
Just another reason this should never have happened, not in 2021.

[vizzini]

I never understood the appeal of a fraternity. Why would anybody pay good money to buy "friends" who take pleasure in humiliating and torturing you? The whole system is completely dysfunctional.

[davidpowell]

Not to judge what happened without knowing for sure but if this is another death caused by forced alcohol consumption as part of an initiation or hazing ritual, the fraternity chapter involved and any fraternity chapter or house that does this should be shut down forever. Period. This crap has been going on too long,

[judemorgan]

This is just sad. My college campus also suspended a fraternity for a hazing death years ago here in Louisiana. Forgot the guy's name. And to think I really wanted to think about joining a sorority. But these hazing incidents make me think otherwise. I always worry about my nephew (who is 12) possibly thinking of joining one in the future out of fear that this could happen to him. It's really scary. No family should have to go through such heartbreak. RIP young man. 😥😥😭😭

[tmartinez]

This fraternity groups are the worse!!! So sad

[salvatoremarascio]

Get real friends don’t pay for them or hang out in gangs

[bustincueu]

Always thought fraternities were stupid. There is no way I would do some of
The stupid things they do just to be a member of a meaningless group of people, all of which are idiots for doing something dumb to belong to a sausage party. It’s crazy that these still exist, seems like people would have more confidence so they wouldn’t feel the need to belong

[_polyavien_]

Fraternities? Leading to teen deaths? Who would have guesssed?? 😱

[georgeolvera]

“One of the guys” I’m sorry bro, you deserved better.

[justageneraluser]

I've never understood fraternities. I went to a major university, and I lived off campus and commuted. I thought college was supposed to be an introduction to adulthood.

[Mrs_Canary]

I never felt 2 belong 2 any group in college...with that being said why r hazing always doing dangerous stuff. Who come up with these rules!.

[nofacenocase_]

Not everyone can be like Stevewilldoit

[RCmack]

What happened here - was a fraternity so upset about Adam Oakes being obese, they wanted him to die by having him drink Jack Daniels whiskey?
That fraternity needs to be barred from VCU for life.
RIP, Adam

[et]

Being Morbidly obese doesn't pair well with fraternities and alcohol.

[christopherlincoln]

Nobody forced him to do this he is responsible for his own death.