The devastating ordeal of Daniel "Danny" Santulli, a University of Missouri freshman who was left permanently disabled after severe hazing at a fraternity event, is garnering national attention once again in the new A&E docuseries, Houses of Horror: Secrets of College Greek Life. An episode titled "Bingeing to Belong" was the first to air, featuring Danny's story. Four episodes are now available to stream, each focused on different incidents and practices among Greek houses.
On October 19, 2021, Danny was subjected to a brutal hazing ritual that involved consuming a potentially lethal amount of alcohol. His blood alcohol content reached 0.486%, leading to cardiac arrest and life-altering brain damage. Despite finding Danny unresponsive on the fraternity house couch at 12:45 a.m., his fraternity “brothers” (who supplied him with alcohol and pressured him to drink in the first place) did not immediately call 911. Instead, they carried him to a car, dropping him on the way, and then drove him to the hospital.
Today, Danny requires around-the-clock care, much of it provided by his parents. He is unable to see, walk, or communicate.
This incident, described as the worst fraternity hazing injury in U.S. history, was not an isolated event. Attorney David Bianchi emphasized in a recent Fox News article, “These are part of a pattern of unsafe and dangerous behavior that represents the traditions of the fraternity.”
Houses of Horror brings to light not only Danny’s story but also the broader issue of hazing and peer pressure within Greek life. There is an urgent need for accountability and reform, and Stewart Tilghman Fox Bianchi & Cain, P.A. is committed to this pursuit. We are proud to have represented Danny’s family, successfully holding at-fault parties responsible for their part in the incident.
As we continue to raise awareness, we stand with the victims of hazing and their families in their mission to prevent such tragedies from happening to others. The fight for justice and change is far from over, and we remain committed to supporting victims and families nationwide.