District Attorney Matthew Van Houten reopened the investigation into an alleged gang rape at Cornell University’s Chi Phi fraternity in Ithaca, New York, after Jane Doe filed a civil lawsuit in November 2024. The case centers on an incident that occurred on Oct 19 2024, when Doe alleged she was drugged and raped by seven fraternity brothers.
In a six‑page statement the police received in November 2024, Doe described her intoxication level as “5 out of 10” and admitted to a consensual threesome with two of the accused. Van Houten noted the statement omitted any claim of coercion or drugging.
The civil complaint, however, alleges that Doe was given a sedative without her consent and forced into a prolonged assault that lasted several hours. Van Houten said the discrepancy prompted him to reopen the investigation.
The district attorney cited an influx of calls and emails from the community demanding answers. He added that the civil suit was a response to what he described as incomplete media coverage.
According to Van Houten, the case will now be presented to a judge in the coming weeks. The hearing is expected to take place soon, with the outcome pending.