The apparent Cal State Fullerton fraternity where a student attended an event before he died over the weekend permanently lost university recognition in 2021 after various allegations of violations, including hazing or conspiracy to commit hazing.
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Anthony Blas’ cause of death remained under investigation, though police believe alcohol played a role. The 18-year-old student was unresponsive when he arrived at Providence St. Jude Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead on Sunday, Sept. 13.
Earlier in the night, Blas attended a “large gathering” in the area of Associated Road and Milton Avenue, Fullerton police said.
They haven’t named the organization or given an exact address, but the Delta Chi frat house has been at that intersection. A police calls-for-service log shows officers responded to the 2100 block of Teri Place, the alley behind the two-story house, for a crime-scene investigation about 20 minutes after they responded to the hospital where Blas was taken.
The teen’s family also said his death followed “events connected to the Delta Chi fraternity near Cal State Fullerton,” in a statement to CBS LA.
The Delta Chi Fraternity’s national office said Wednesday, Sept. 16, that it also doesn’t recognize the CSUF chapter where Blas attended the event.
Any individuals reportedly linked to the incident were not part of the official Delta Chi, and any CSUF students who claim to be members of Delta Chi are operating without the national group’s oversight and authorization, the national fraternity said.
“Following the closure of the chapter, Delta Chi has proactively worked with university officials to make students aware that no active Delta Chi chapter exists at California State University, Fullerton,” Delta Chi said in a statement.
“We fully support a thorough and transparent review of the facts by the appropriate authorities,” the statement continued. “Anthony’s family deserves answers, and all those affected deserve a complete understanding of the circumstances surrounding this tragedy.”
In April 2021, the Delta Chi Fraternity was permanently separated from CSUF and lost its recognized student organization status, the harshest possible punishment campus organizations can face, according to CSUF’s Student Organization Status Key.
Delta Chi’s alleged violations listed on the university website include:
- Actions that endanger the health or safety of anyone in the campus community such as physical abuse, threats, sexual misconduct, harassment or intimidation
- Hazing or conspiracy to haze
- Using, possessing, manufacturing or distributing illegal drugs and alcoholic beverages
- Violating any federal, state or local law that poses a substantial threat to the health and well-being of the campus community
- Breaking any CSUF rule, policy, regulation or presidential order
- Falsifying, distorting or misrepresenting information in a student discipline case
- Trying to influence anyone in a student discipline case
- Encouraging, helping or allowing someone to break a rule or policy leading to discipline
The chapter’s separation will last until at least January 2029, when Delta Chi Fraternity could be considered for university recognition after completing “a return-to-campus process.” Cal State Fullerton didn’t respond to a request for further information about Delta Chi’s status and past violations.
A reporter left a message at the door of the fraternity seeking comment.
In its statement to CBS LA, Blas’ family asked for a transparent investigation and shared concern that hazing might have played a role in his death, despite police saying they don’t currently believe that hazing contributed.
Sgt. Ryan O’Neil with the Fullerton Police Department did emphasize that stance could shift as the investigation continues.
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“Obviously … things could change,” he said.
Investigators are also looking into how Blas got alcohol despite being underage and why at least one person dropped him off at the emergency room rather than calling 911, a detail Blas’ family found particularly alarming.
“We want to know what happened in the hours leading up to his death, who was present, when those present realized he was in distress,” the family said in its statement.
Police haven’t specified the nature of the fraternity event or how many people were there, but O’Neil said it was a “large gathering” and that everyone police have contacted has cooperated with the investigation.
“At this time, we are not making conclusions about the responsibility of any individual,” the family’s statement continued. “We are asking for facts, accountability, and answers. We urge anyone who was present or who has photographs, videos, text messages, social-media posts, or other information about what happened that night to preserve that information and provide it to authorities.”
People have shared numerous videos on social-media platforms of parties at the frat house over the last few weeks showing dozens of people gathered inside and outside the property, but many started deleting those videos this week and the fraternity began deleting much of its own social media following Blas’ death.
Police said they have not had calls for service at the home in recent years and said it wasn’t a “problem place” or “nuisance location.”
Los Altos football coach Dale Ziola’s heart dropped when he learned that Blas died.
Blas and his twin brother Daniel were both seniors on Los Altos’ 2025 football team that finished 10-1.
Anthony Blas was a running back and defensive lineman. Daniel was a kicker who is on the Long Beach City College football team.
“It’s just devastating,” Ziola said. “His smile is going to be missed. Our heart breaks for his family and his brother Daniel.”
Anthony Blas was at Los Altos his junior and senior years. He attended La Serna his first two years in high school.
“He was just so young, so full of life,” Ziola added. “It’s the worst part of my job when something happens like this. You want so much for these kids and their future. It’s another reminder to the kids that we’re trying to guide that life is fragile.”
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Staff reporters Sean Emery and Emily McGinn contributed to this story.