A woman has come forward with serious allegations of gang rape against members of the Chi Phi fraternity at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. The accusations, first made public in a civil complaint filed on September 16, 2026, detail events that purportedly unfolded in October 2024.
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The complainant, identified as Jane Doe, recounts that on the night of October 19, 2024, she attended a gathering at the Chi Phi fraternity house after socialising with friends at local bars. During her time at the fraternity, it is alleged that a male acquaintance encouraged her to engage in a sexual encounter involving multiple participants. In her intoxicated state, she consented to this proposal.
According to the lawsuit, the situation escalated when the two men present at the encounter reportedly pressured her to use ketamine, a substance that can impair cognitive function. The combination of ketamine, marijuana and rum left her incapacitated, which she argues compromised her ability to provide informed consent to any sexual activity that followed.
Upon entering the room, she claims a third man joined the encounter. A statement given to campus police indicated that she was aware of engaging with the third male, but reiterated that her memories of the events were quite hazy due to her intoxication. In her account, she described how her recollection was not clear, stating, “I don’t remember much of this threesome. I was pretty incapacitated.”
The situation reportedly escalated further later that night, as a group of men entered the room in which she and her companions were. In a follow-up statement, Jane described her shock and embarrassment upon their arrival, which led her to hide under the covers out of fear for her dignity. She described feeling horrified as they had witnessed her in compromising circumstances.
Allegations also emerged concerning the sharing of explicit messages amongst fraternity members on the social media platform Snapchat. Reports indicate that after the sexual encounter commenced, one male sent a message to a group chat titled “Chi Phi Actives,” stating there was “free p—-” upstairs, which prompted further interest from other members.
The supposed assaults are said to have continued for several hours, reportedly concluding around 5:45 a.m. Despite the seriousness of the allegations, prosecutors in Tompkins County opted not to file any charges in 2024. District Attorney Matthew Van Houten recently noted that discrepancies between Jane’s initial statements and her later civil complaint prompted him to reconsider the case, stating that he was willing to reopen the investigation.
Acknowledging the inadequacy of the initial response from local authorities, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has intervened by signing an executive order that appoints New York Attorney General Letitia James to oversee the inquiry. The governor expressed concern that Jane Doe had lost faith in both the district attorney’s and campus police’s handling of the matter.
Attorneys for the three individuals named in the lawsuit have denied any wrongdoing, asserting that their clients did not engage in illegal behaviour during the events in question. Meanwhile, the trauma stemming from these incidents has reportedly compelled Jane to withdraw from Cornell University, where she was studying at the time.
The case has prompted renewed discussions about sexual assault and university policy in the United States, particularly regarding how institutions respond to such allegations. The public has been urged to pay attention to the allegations and assist support systems for survivors of sexual violence.
For individuals in need of immediate support, resources such as the National Sexual Assault Hotline (1-800-656-HOPE) are available to provide confidential assistance and guidance.