A Punta Gorda mother has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit, claiming violent fraternity hazing contributed to her son's death at the University of Texas at Austin. Sawyer Updike, an 18-year-old freshman, died by suicide in January 2024.
Sheri Roberts, Sawyer's mother, shared that what she discovered on her son's phone continues to haunt her. Roberts said, "I want change so no other family has to go through what we have."
Sawyer pledged the university's Alpha Nu chapter of Sigma Chi to make friends, his mother said.
The family's lawsuit claims that members of the fraternity violently hazed Sawyer during the fall of 2023, leading up to his death. The lawsuit documents burns on his chest, a fishhook in his leg, and forced drug use through photos and videos found on his phone.
The University of Texas at Austin prohibits hazing. In a statement, the university said, "UT Austin is committed to providing a safe educational environment for everyone and does not tolerate hazing by any group or individual affiliated with the University. All such allegations receive the utmost attention and thorough investigation."
The lawsuit names Sigma Chi International, the UT Alpha Nu chapter, and several members, alleging they failed to keep Sawyer safe.
Roberts believes her son was given cocaine and psilocybin mushrooms before his death. She filed the lawsuit two weeks ago, and the university shut down the Alpha Nu chapter the following day.
Michael J. Church, executive director of Sigma Chi International Fraternity, issued a statement expressing devastation over Sawyer's death.
"Sigma Chi International Fraternity was devastated by the tragic death of our brother, Sawyer Lee Updike, at the University of Texas in January 2024. In the months that followed, credible allegations of inappropriate behavior from members in that chapter emerged, prompting a thorough investigation by Sigma Chi International Fraternity that resulted in the closure of this chapter and the expulsions of several members of the organization."
For Sigma Chi, our central principles call us to hold each other to the highest possible standards and to care especially for our brothers. Any individual who fails to do so betrays not only himself but also his brothers and the values we hold sacred.
....As these matters proceed through the court system, we will expect and encourage that any individuals who are found responsible for any of the actions described in it will face the fullest consequences that our justice system demands."