Madison Police Arrest Two After Finding 30 Injured Men in Fraternity Basement

Key points

Police responded to an anonymous tip on Wednesday night and found 30 men in the basement of the Alpha Epsilon Pi house near Carroll and Langdon streets.

Brayden Klein and Samuel Vane, both 20, were arrested for hazing and disorderly conduct; they were released on a $400 bond but have not yet been charged.

The basement thermostat was set to 81 degrees, creating hot and humid conditions, and several victims had visible injuries consistent with physical assault.

Alpha Epsilon Pi headquarters issued a cease-and-desist order, suspending all chapter programming pending an investigation into health and safety violations.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison confirmed the chapter is unaccredited and terminated from the university since 2015, but remains recognized by the national organization.

Background

This incident follows a pattern of Greek life misconduct in higher education, similar to the 2026 Penn State cocaine distribution case involving fraternity members. The Madison chapter of Alpha Epsilon Pi has a history of issues, including a 2013 suspension for alcohol-related incidents and multiple allegations of hazing and disrespectful behavior since 2016. The university previously terminated the chapter's status in 2015, though it continues to operate as an unaffiliated entity recognized by its national body.

How outlets are covering it

WISN and CBS News both report on the immediate police response, the physical conditions of the basement, and the arrests of Klein and Vane. WISN emphasizes the anonymous tip and the specific bond amount, while CBS News highlights the 'partially clothed' state of the victims and the redacted photos released by police. UW-Madison News focuses on the administrative response, detailing the national fraternity's cease-and-desist order and the university's nonacademic misconduct investigation process. All sources agree on the unaccredited status of the local chapter but differ in emphasis: police outlets focus on the criminal aspect, while the university focuses on policy and student support.

Why it matters

The incident raises serious concerns about student safety and the oversight of unaccredited student organizations. It highlights the gap between national fraternity standards and local chapter conduct, prompting immediate sanctions from the national body. The case also underscores the university's role in addressing off-campus misconduct involving students, potentially leading to disciplinary actions under Wisconsin administrative code.

What to watch

The Madison Police Department investigation is ongoing, and no further charges have been announced. The University of Wisconsin-Madison will review the incident through its nonacademic misconduct process, which may result in sanctions for involved students. The national Alpha Epsilon Pi organization will continue its investigation, with members found responsible for criminal conduct facing expulsion. The university is urging students to report hazing incidents via anonymous online forms or the FSL Confidential system.