The Hanover Police department has filed charges against Alpha Phi sorority and two members of Beta Alpha Omega fraternity in connection with the death of Won Jang ’26. Jang was found dead in the Connecticut River on July 7 following a social event with APhi and Beta.
Authorities found probable cause to charge Matthew Catrambone ’26 and Samuel Terry ’26, both members of Beta, with one misdemeanor each for “providing alcohol to persons under 21 years of age,” according to a press release from the police department this afternoon. In a follow-up interview with The Dartmouth, Hanover Police Chief Charlie Dennis said the investigation found “no evidence” of hazing. The Department previously received an anonymous tip that “there may be some hazing involved.”
“There was no hazing involved in this from our investigation,” Dennis said. “No facts support that at all.”
APhi was also charged “as a corporation” with one misdemeanor violation for “facilitating an underage alcohol house,” the release stated. According to Dennis, the investigation is “complete at this time.”
Eric Wilson, Catrambone’s attorney, wrote in a statement to The Dartmouth that his client “was a devoted friend to Won and remains heartbroken over his passing.” Wilson wrote that Catrambone has cooperated with College officials and law enforcement and will continue to do so.
“A thorough investigation determined Won’s death occurred as a result of a tragic accident and the decision to charge Matthew with a complaint alleging providing alcohol to others appears to be unrelated to the tragedy that occurred hours later,” Wilson wrote.
Terry did not respond to requests for comment by time of publication.
According to the release, Jang attended a party at an off-campus apartment rented by several members of APhi before his death. Attendees, including Jang, were primarily under 21 and consuming alcohol. The alcohol was “purchased and provided” by Beta members who were over 21, the release wrote.
The College suspended both houses on July 9.
After the party, multiple attendees “made a spontaneous decision” to jump in the river, the release explained. However, the onset of a rainstorm led students to flee the river scene in groups, leaving Jang behind. Jang’s body was found in the river the next day with a blood alcohol level of 0.167 — more than twice the legal limit to drive. On Sept. 18, the Hanover Police ruled his death an accidental drowning.
“No one in these groups noticed that Jang was unaccounted for,” the release stated. “It was confirmed via multiple interviews, to include Jang’s family, that he could not swim.”
Catrambone, Terry and APhi will have to appear at Lebanon District Court, according to the press release.
In a written statement, College spokesperson Jana Barnello did not comment directly on the charges but wrote that Greek Life spaces “have a responsibility to ensure Dartmouth remains a safe, respectful, equitable and inclusive community for students, faculty and staff.”
“Students who violate Dartmouth policy are subject to the disciplinary process as outlined in the Student Handbook,” Barnello wrote. “Due to federal law, Dartmouth cannot comment on individual disciplinary matters.”
The College’s investigation and conduct process remains ongoing, Barnello wrote.
Hanover Police Chief Charlie Dennis and APhi president Mira Chiruvolu ’25 did not respond to requests for comment by time of publication.
Update Appended (Nov. 26, 2:14 a.m.): The article and headline have been updated to include a follow-up interview with Hanover Police Chief Charlie Dennis. A previous version of this article also stated that Won Jang’s blood alcohol level was “more than twice the legal limit.” The article has been updated to clarify that Jang’s blood alcohol level was “more than twice the legal limit to drive.”
