Student confirmed dead after incident at Phi Sig

Brian Macken, a 19-year-old IU student, who was hospitalized at Bloomington Hospital after being found unconscious at the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity house Friday, died Tuesday.

IU Police Department Chief Keith Cash said in a press release that he was notified of Macken’s death at 6 p.m. Tuesday. He added that Dean of Students Pete Goldsmith was in contact with Macken’s family since Friday.

“I am very saddened by his death and express my condolences to his family and friends,” Goldsmith said in an e-mail.

The cause of Macken’s death remains unknown to IUPD, and Cash said the results from hospital lab tests could take weeks.

Macken was visiting the Phi Sig house when he became ill, Cash said. He added that when IUPD and emergency workers responded to a call for a medical assist at 2:16 p.m. Friday, they realized Macken’s condition was serious and began CPR. They were able to revive Macken before he was taken to the hospital.

Cash said Phi Sig members placed the call to IUPD, and they have been interviewed and cooperating with IUPD. The police collected evidence from the fraternity house and Macken’s room in Briscoe Quad. There were signs of drug use in Macken’s residence but no signs of drug use at the Phi Sig house.

Police are working to determine if drugs or alcohol were a factor in Macken’s death, and Cash said the police filed court orders Tuesday to access information in Macken’s computer, cell phone and hospital records.

Macken’s name was not released by IUPD until his death out of respect for his family. Goldsmith said the University’s main concern since Friday was Macken’s health as well as respecting his privacy rights.

IU spokesman Larry MacIntyre said University officials were limited in what they could release about Macken’s condition during the weekend because Macken was a student.

MacIntyre said he expresses his condolences to Macken’s friends and family and added that University administrators are expected to release a statement today.

Interfraternity Council Vice President of Communications Josh Vollmer said he was sad to hear of Macken’s death, but IFC had no further comment yet. Phi Sigma Kappa national headquarters has not responded to requests for comment.

IFC and Panhellenic Association executive officers decided to postpone Greek social events until further notice after Macken was hospitalized Friday out of respect for Macken and his family.