SC

Sources: Tucker Hipps Was Dropped From Bridge

REPORTS REINFORCE “DEATH BY HAZING” ALLEGATIONS By FITSNEWS  ||  Back in September, Clemson University students told FITS the death of 19-year-old student Tucker Hipps – who fell to his death from a bridge near campus – was due to fraternity hazing. Those reports sparked a firestorm of controversy at the school – but were quickly…

REPORTS REINFORCE “DEATH BY HAZING” ALLEGATIONS

By FITSNEWS  ||  Back in September, Clemson University students told FITS the death of 19-year-old student Tucker Hipps – who fell to his death from a bridge near campus – was due to fraternity hazing.

Those reports sparked a firestorm of controversy at the school – but were quickly downplayed by local law enforcement.

“There has been speculation and innuendo, especially on social media, regarding whether hazing played a part in the death of Tucker Hipps,” Oconee County sheriff Mike Crenshaw said at the time. “So far, there has been no indication in the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office investigation that hazing played a part in the death of Tucker Hipps.”

Fast-forward to this week, when Clemson University unceremoniously fired its vice president of student affairs – one week after Hipps’ parents told local television station WYFF TV 4 (NBC – Greenville) that the school’s fraternity pledging processes were “broken” and that the truth about their son’s death had yet to come out.

“There is more to the story then what has been told,” Gary Hipps told the station.

He’s right …

An autopsy found that Hipps died as a result of head trauma sustained during an “unsupported fall” from a bridge near the Clemson campus.  And while Hipps’ fraternity brothers said he fell behind during an early morning fitness event, multiple sources told FITS the bridge Hipps fell from is linked to a “particular tradition” for Hipps’ fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon.

“You jump in and have to swim to the other side,” one student explained to FITS.

Jump in?  Turns out that may have been a generous depiction of the ritual …

FITS is now hearing from multiple sources that Hipps – rather than jumping into the water – was instead being held over it as part of a hazing ritual shortly before the “unsupported fall” took place.

“He was being dangled by his ankles off the bridge,” one source familiar with the situation tells FITS, adding he was “dropped by accident.”

Wow …

While not getting into those sorts of specifics, a source at Clemson has confirmed to FITS that Hipps’ parents were recently informed that a hazing ritual gone wrong was responsible for their son’s death – and that the school was taking the “necessary steps” to ensure similar tragedies did not occur in the future.

Hipps is the second Clemson fraternity member to die under questionable circumstances in as many years.  Last October another 19-year-old fraternity member – Timothy Michael Reece, Jr. of Sullivans Island, S.C. – died at Clemson.  Reece belonged to the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, and multiple sources tell FITS his death was related to his association with the organization.

In related news, Clemson is currently being sued related to an alleged hazing incident associated with its women’s soccer program.  In that suit – news of which broke exclusively on FITS – officials at the school are alleged to have covered up the particulars of the hazing.

Stay tuned … we’re hearing much more regarding the Hipps case and hope to have additional updates soon.

**

Related posts

SC

Midlands SC Community Mourns Beloved School Official

Will Folks
SC

South Carolina Mayor Dead Following Car Crash

Will Folks
SC

Palmetto Past & Present: How Columbia Became the Confederacy’s Currency Capital

Mark Powell

154 comments

Anon December 4, 2014 at 9:23 pm

There is without a doubt something fishy about the Hipps death, but your “sources” are wrong about the Reece death. Someone very close to the family has told me more than once that he died of walking pneumonia because he wasn’t taking his medication. I know you have an unquenchable thirst to trash Clemson at every turn, but you might try sticking to facts. Of course, that has been a difficult task for FITS over the course of this site’s life.

Reply
a face in the crowd December 4, 2014 at 9:36 pm

Not sure about what happened to Tucker Hipps, but kudos to upstate media outlets for keeping the story in the news. Institutional administrators always vow to do better after a tragedy, but unless a public record is established, they quickly forget about the matter. Well done.

Reply
Just another guy December 4, 2014 at 9:54 pm

The carney in the coal mine for this was the frat hired an attorney prior to the missing person report was filed. When his girlfriend came around asking questions, an attorney was already representing them. That lawsuit is going to be ugly

Reply
Rut Row December 4, 2014 at 10:15 pm

That’s a strong indicator,

Reply
TontoBubbaGoldstein December 5, 2014 at 5:40 am

The carney in the coal mine…

PRO TIP:
Never trust *underground* transient fair workers. When the heat is on…they’ll sing like canaries.

Reply
GDisabatino December 5, 2014 at 5:46 pm

This just in. Barnum and Bailey open a law school..

Reply
Smirks December 8, 2014 at 7:21 pm

Is it located in Charleston?

Reply
cap'n crunch December 5, 2014 at 9:44 am

Is “carney in the coal mine” the new “riding the hershey highway”?

Reply
Rut Row December 4, 2014 at 10:11 pm

Clemson is going to be ripped apart – murder – conspiracy to cover it up – accessory to murder – obstruction of justice … .. this is some really bad very serious shit that will go national.

Reply
jules December 5, 2014 at 12:44 am

Notorious for this anyway. They want to appear prestige while they are really one step (barely) up from ghetto. Sad that it took so much arm twisting to get 1 person to tell the truth.

Reply
John December 5, 2014 at 8:48 am

Notorious for this? Oh please do tell us about these “sources” you got that from. National Enquirer? Because that is all FITS is.

Reply
Buz Martin December 5, 2014 at 9:28 am

If that’s your worst criticism of FITS, hey, you must be saying it’s a wildly popular, sensational, muck-raking tabloid-style newsbreaker.

That, based on how many times over the years the Enquirer broken stories the MSM would not touch. Sure, just like the NE, FITS is often off the rails, but when they ARE right on them, they ride ’em to the Land of Hard Truth. That’s just a fact.

Reply
get the 'fly' a job! December 5, 2014 at 9:58 pm

LMAO!!! I knew as soon as you asked Will to contact you the other day he was fucked-threats of lawsuits and his website under cyber attacks ,just today.

You are the fucking ‘Schleprock’ of life and reality. Pulling the same bullshit you did with TSN and Wren, on FITS and Will, prior to them being sued and losing that judgement.

TSN and Wren rode your fucking bullshit and lies to the ‘Land of Hard Truth’- MINUS $600,000!!! :-)

Buz Martin December 5, 2014 at 10:58 pm

pogo, get clear on this: NOBODY, not even Big T, believes that I was the original source, or even the primary source, of information given to David Wren about certain events in MB involving the chamber of commerce and campaign donations. Hell, dude, I was blocked from contacting Wren at TSN via email by an overzealous online editor (long since departed) for 6 months, and the reports just kept on coming.

As for Will, I had not a single clue that anything new had come out on the Tucker Hipps story. Read about it this morning, via a link on Twitter, but could not access FITS otherwise. Then around 10:30 could not get in at all, even via the Twitter links. So the attack was under way before I even knew of the story.

You don’t even post PLAUSIBLE shit about me, man. I guess I should be flattered that you think I’m so damned influential, though. But only enough, I’m not. It’s just more tedious crazy-ass pogo bullshit, that’s all.

E Norma Scok December 5, 2014 at 1:51 pm

1 step from the ghetto?

Its not like 5 points where people die for standing on the street.

Reply
xx December 5, 2014 at 6:22 pm

Yep, USC is literally one step from the ghetto.

Reply
Squishy123 December 5, 2014 at 1:59 pm

Maybe they should put more Mike Brady design into their architecture like USCe did.

Reply
Scooter December 5, 2014 at 8:39 pm

Going to be ripped apart? Kinda like what the Cocks did last Sat.?

Reply
Rut Row December 4, 2014 at 10:17 pm

Them frat boys are all looking at life in prison. If ones who know about it did not actually engaged in it, but are involved with the cover up, they better talk or they could being doing 30 years in the pen themselves.

Reply
TontoBubbaGoldstein December 5, 2014 at 5:49 am

Them frat boys are all looking at life in prison.

Nah.
There will be a monetary settlement, with vows that “nothing like this terrible mistake will ever happen again”, and, unless you are family, totally forgotten within 5 years.

Reply
Same ol' Same ol' December 5, 2014 at 7:11 am

TBG, I hope this isn’t true, time will tell. Everyone that had a hand on the young man needs to be brought to justice. Everyone that knew and kept quiet needs justice. I’m not sure if there’s enough daddy money to keep the lid on it.
I know the family will get a lot of money out of this, and they should, but it will never replace their son. My heart goes out to them, especially with them knowing how he died. I’m sure Tucker didn’t allow himself to be hoisted up by his ankles.

Reply
E Norma Scok December 5, 2014 at 1:49 pm

IF this is true, and IF it was a fraternity hazing incident..then yeah, he basically asked and allowed them to do it.

Reply
Justin December 5, 2014 at 2:15 pm

Let’s assume the article is correct. That it was a hazing incident doesn’t mean he consented to be held off a bridge. Maybe he did, but that he voluntarily entered a process doesn’t mean he consented to everything that happens afterward.

Let’s assume he actually and explicitly asked and allowed them to do it. It wouldn’t absolve them from civil and criminal penalty, though it could mitigate.

vicupstate December 5, 2014 at 2:05 pm

Let’s wait for the proof from a RELIABLE source, before surmising the aftermath.

Reply
Squishy123 December 5, 2014 at 1:57 pm

Well they’ll at least be used to the homo initiation protocol.

Reply
The Colonel December 4, 2014 at 10:27 pm

Not looking good. As much joy as I find in poking fun at Clempson, I can find absolutely nothing funny in this situation.

Reply
Anonymous March 20, 2023 at 8:12 pm

As a cousin of tucker it’s kinda bs nothing ended up happening ( that I am aware of)

Reply
FuckFITSNEWS December 4, 2014 at 11:13 pm

Who ever wrote this fucking article should never call themselves a writer. I was a very close friend of Michael Reese, and I am asking the author why was his name mentioned and where did he get his facts? He was a brother of Pi Kappa Alpha, not pledging like Tucker, his death had no relation or cause with the fraternity. You better hope his family never reads this or your ass will be sued off the face of the earth. FUCK YOU FITSNEWS

Reply
MashPotato December 5, 2014 at 1:11 am

FITS is known for protecting their sources. The article stated that Reece (not sure which spelling is correct) belonged to the fraternity because it’s relevant to the story. I’m very sorry for the loss of your friend, but you have no reason to take it out on FITS.

Reply
Michael's friend December 5, 2014 at 10:15 am

You probably don’t know if the spelling is correct because both you and FITS have no fucking idea what you’re talking about. The fact that FITS has so little respect for my friend that they can’t even do the research to correctly spell his name in their article is absolutely disgusting.

Reply
Too Funny December 5, 2014 at 2:46 pm

You stupid twit. You and your dumbass cohorts in crime can’t even cover your tracks with your kiddy denial of service attacks. HAHAHAHAHAAHAAA!!!

Reply
Karl December 5, 2014 at 2:54 am

Good luck, Chad.

Reply
Squishy123 December 5, 2014 at 1:55 pm

Biff is upset! He even got his 68 frat brothers to give him a thumbs up. Well boys, back to your elephant walk and Twinkies with the special filling.

Reply
Cyber Labs Know Who December 5, 2014 at 2:42 pm

They have been doing a bunch of criminally illegal things up there on university computers. Bunch of stupid ass children born with silver spoons in their mouths. Mommy and Daddy’s lawyers can’t do much to save them if anything is made out of it. They’ve been given plenty of rope. When it gets yanked, it will break here 1st.

Reply
Bob McMahan September 6, 2015 at 2:44 pm

I would love to have some Twinkies! Do y’all know where I might buy some,?

Reply
Eyes On You December 5, 2014 at 2:31 pm

DOS much?

Reply
E Norma Scok December 7, 2014 at 2:11 pm

If this web site’s servers can’t handle an out of band ping from 100 college kids, the hosting company need to seriously look at their security procedures. DDOS attacks aren’t even anything you hear about anymore. Why? Because a decent firewall policy stops it before it starts. That’s very early 2000’s…

Reply
Smirks December 8, 2014 at 7:16 pm

DDOS attacks aren’t even anything you hear about anymore.
Probably because they aren’t done on a grand scale very often, but they happen all the time.

I for one recall one that was done to various Australian government pages by Anonymous using LOIC (if I recall it was over video game regulations). They were pretty successful for a number of days. Similar attacks have been used against Scientology, WBC, and so on, with varying degrees of success.

Scientology was able to mitigate it pretty quickly but the immediate impact was crippling, i.e. they “weren’t prepared” for it.

Reply
Eyes On You December 5, 2014 at 2:36 pm

Any lawsuit would against Fitsnews would not survive summary judgment nor even a motion to dismiss bought by Fitsnews. Any lawsuit brought against Fitsnews by Plaintiffs would see said Plaintiffs paying for all legal cost incurred by Fitsnews, and more :-) …. What a bunch of dorks at Clemson. The FBI is coming to tear your campus down.

Reply
Michael Reese's Pledge Brother December 4, 2014 at 11:22 pm

Idk what these “sources” you say you get all this information from but you should know the difference between facts and spreading slander, a criminal offense. Writing articles filled with non-sense and blatant lies is not a good look for a news source. The only people who know FACTS about Tucker’s death would not share it with a third rate news source, and I can tell you as a FACT that Michael Reese’s death had nothing to do with being associated with the fraternity.

Reply
Karl December 5, 2014 at 2:54 am

What Is Slander?
Slander involves verbally
maligning the reputation or activities of another individual or entity,
using information that is known to be false or misleading. Typically,
this will involve not only the use of specific words to damage a
reputation, but also actions such as hand gestures or facial expressions
in order to reinforce the misinformation that is being distributed. Any
defamation that is “transitory” — in other words, not fixed in a
permanent medium — is usually considered slander.

Reply
Same Person December 5, 2014 at 11:01 am

First off, Karl, stop defending this shitty “news” source. If you would like a lesson in law libel is the written version of slander which is still a criminal offense. And as long as this article is on the internet it is permanently fixed on this medium (the internet).

Reply
Karl December 5, 2014 at 1:11 pm

I know that you’re hurting right now, I get it, but this source is very reliable. I don’t know if you noticed but FITS has a terrific track record when it comes to outing corruption in this state. Sometimes the truth hurts.

Reply
vicupstate December 5, 2014 at 2:01 pm

FITS said the Governor has going to be indicted a couple of years back, but it didn’t happen. There have been numerous stories of supposed corruption that he ‘reported’ that have never turned into anything either. He gets just a much wrong as right.

Scooter December 5, 2014 at 8:28 pm

Lawd, lawd, Fits wiil say anything for a nickel.

the fly strikes again December 5, 2014 at 9:39 pm

In my opinion as soon as Buz Martin gave Will advice on how to proceed on allegations of corruption and Buz told him to contact him a couple of days ago, that FITS would be threatened with lawsuits and his website would apparently be infected with cyber attacks.

I am not suprised by any of this. Myrtle Beach and Horry County all over again. Victims and lawsuits strewn throughout the wreckage of Martin’s fantasies.

chill December 5, 2014 at 2:13 pm

My advice? Don’t get in to ‘deep’ with these people. I have no idea what happened nor am I much interested in this event although my sympathies for any loss of life.

Let it go on here. In my opinion you have already scared the shit out of em-why else would Karl be on this site replying to comments at around 2:00 A.M.(and UPVOTING his own comments) in the morning and to top it off this site apparently was ‘hacked’ and down for awhile????

This site can be a very informative site on a variety of subjects however I would sure have my ducks in a row before threatening FITS with criminal libel. FITS may be wrong on most issues and in supporting political candidates that can win but don’t doubt for a moment they don’t play for ‘keeps’.

Again, just from friendly advice from an old man.Let law enforcement and the courts work this out.

Reply
Not the Same Person December 5, 2014 at 5:41 pm

Commas man… use them.

Reply
You Need 2 Get a Life December 5, 2014 at 7:39 pm

You are so full of it and yourself, and obviously do not know squat when it comes to law I might add. Please, I beg of you. Don’t come back here and make me laugh so hard again. My sides are hurting right now from your ignorant bullshit.

Reply
Dave Chappelle I'm Rick James December 5, 2014 at 1:14 pm

Don’t forget that in NY Times v. Sullivan, 376 U.S. 254 (1964) a “public official” is very broadly construed.

That is, the most protected type of speech is political speech.

Reply
Michael Reese's Pledge Brother December 5, 2014 at 5:44 pm

I didnt know they kept score in law. NY Times v Sullivan, 376 to 254. Holy cow they creamed them!!!

Reply
You Need 2 Get a Life December 5, 2014 at 7:30 pm

You are asinine and benighted. Spammers look down on you. Even phone sex operators hang up on you. And telemarketers refuse to be seen in public with you. You are the source of all unpleasantness. You spread misery and sorrow wherever you go. May you choke on your own foolish opinions.

Reply
Porschegal December 7, 2014 at 1:38 am

You blow up like a puffer fish and spout stupid comments rather than deal with any productive comments. I feel terrible for your pledge brother but you think it is a tribute to him by potentially covering up this incident by other members that may have been involved in his death ??? That’s like some law enforcement guy covering for another cop when he knows more to the story and does so out of misplaced loyalty and fear. Why didn’t they run with him the whole course and they would have known what occurred. I think it was hazing and something went wrong, they got scared and split and then made a pact to keep it secret for all in the fraternity as well as the perpetrators. Will be interesting to learn the real truth.

Reply
Tan December 4, 2014 at 11:34 pm

Fuck fits news no telling who there “sources” are. embarrassing article.

Reply
Scooter December 5, 2014 at 8:36 pm

Five Points drunks. Who else?

Reply
FitsNewsBlows December 4, 2014 at 11:42 pm

Fits News: “as long as we know how to spell “sources” we can write any article we want about anything, and claim its truth.” This is 4th grade journalism

Reply
Hall Pass December 5, 2014 at 12:57 pm

Amen…this is garbage!

Reply
JJ December 5, 2014 at 1:26 am

This is the most misinformed site. How can FITS be called news when it is all slander and libel? Let’s just all wait and see what the OFFICIAL report says before we call these kids murderers. Don’t speak unless you know the absolute truth so rumors don’t spread. Everyone will look pretty ignorant for jumping to such ludicrous conclusions once the report comes out.

Reply
Karl December 5, 2014 at 2:53 am

How can you call something written slanderous?

What Is Slander?
Slander involves verbally
maligning the reputation or activities of another individual or entity,
using information that is known to be false or misleading. Typically,
this will involve not only the use of specific words to damage a
reputation, but also actions such as hand gestures or facial expressions
in order to reinforce the misinformation that is being distributed. Any
defamation that is “transitory” — in other words, not fixed in a
permanent medium — is usually considered slander.

You need to ask for a refund on your education.

Reply
TontoBubbaGoldstein December 5, 2014 at 5:45 am

C’mon Karl!!
Give ’em some props. At least they spelled “libel” correctly.

Reply
Karl December 5, 2014 at 2:58 am

The primary difference between slander and libel is that libel is the written or otherwise printed public defamation of a person or entity, while slander is the spoken defamation of a person or entity. Slander can also include bodily gestures while libel can include published photographs.

Reply
klekky December 6, 2014 at 1:40 pm

Good for you, knowing definitions and such. Do you want a golden sticky star?

Reply
Judy Lee Tribble December 5, 2014 at 6:13 am

And by official do you mean the police ??? my God what rock do you live under??

Reply
Karl December 5, 2014 at 3:10 am

I’d like to welcome the “Chad’s” of Pi Kappa Alpha and Sigma Phi Epsilon who will be flaming this article. First I am terribly sorry for your loss. That is something I would never joke about. A few tips before you get your North Face’s in a bunch. Firstly, know the difference between Libel, Slander and what Defemation is. Secondly, you can’t get pissed off at a journalist, blogger, etc, for maintaining the confidentiality of their sources. Third Go Tigers!

Reply
Not a "Chad" December 5, 2014 at 8:00 am

Michael REESE- emphasis on the Reese because you didn’t even spell it correctly in your article- did not die because of a fraternity related incident. You should have checked the facts surrounding his death before placing that into your article. Before I even get started on the information provided by your “sources,” let’s just think about how plausible they sound. Honestly, what kind of idiots would dangle a fraternity member over a public bridge? The chances of being caught would be too high and fraternities already had a sharp watch on them. I’m not sure what happened to Tucker, it very well could have been a fraternity activity that involved him having to jump from the bridge but your “source” sounds like a someone who was simply looking to stir the pot.
Also, let’s talk about your use of overly promotional words and phrases. It makes you sound like a group of biased teenagers.

Reply
Cognitive Dissonance 101 December 5, 2014 at 11:10 am

“You should have checked the facts surrounding his death before placing that into your article.”

“I’m not sure what happened to Tucker”

I have no idea what you’re trying to say.

Reply
vicupstate December 5, 2014 at 2:20 pm

The first sentence is in reference to Michael Reese.
The second one is in reference to Tucker Hipps.

His point is that the death of Michael Reese was not related to him being in a fraternity. Therefore, there is no relevance in connecting the two.

Reply
Not a "Chad" December 5, 2014 at 5:46 pm

I’m not sure how you don’t understand.. did you even read it? It was a reference to Michael Reese who was mentioned in the first sentence. I do know how Michael Reese died, I do not know how Tucker Hipps died. They are two different people.

Reply
Cognitive Dissonance 101 December 6, 2014 at 2:51 pm

Just so I have it straight, you are directly stating that Reese’s death has nothing to do with his fraternity membership?

Concerned December 5, 2014 at 1:18 pm

Not a flame, but Karl I would like to point out that referencing your own blog/website as the source for “hazing, firestorm of controversy and unceremoniously fired” referred to in your article is laughable at best, but more aligned with slipshod rumor reporting.

You’ve created your own sycophantic system in which to “prove” your allegations.

However the reason I truly wanted to comment is that I find your article appalling and belittling in regarding the death of this young man.

Reply
E Norma Scok December 5, 2014 at 1:57 pm

It’s pretty obvious that this sight is “click to pay”, and are really only interested in gaining more viewers. How that’s done is irrelevant.

I mean the founder continually slanders himself and his own family to attempt to draw viewers; a student he never met at a university he hates is pretty much fair game.

Reply
TontoBubbaGoldstein December 5, 2014 at 7:18 pm

…referencing your own blog/website

Heh.
You must be new ’round these here parts.
Next you’ll gripe about our founding editor’s use of third person

Reply
John December 5, 2014 at 7:40 pm

Is this a comment that a respectable, reporting-the-facts journalist would post? Or is it the comment of someone who has a bone to pick with fraternities and their members? Grow up. You sound like you have some jealousy complex… Sorry you got bullied in high school, but don’t take it out on an entire group of Clemson’s student body when we all know the statements are more than questionable in this article. Oh wait, you’re not a journalist, you’re a “blogger”. Which means your credibility is exactly dick.

Reply
Karl December 5, 2014 at 7:53 pm

I actually don’t provide any content for this site. Thanks, though!

Reply
Sandi Morals December 5, 2014 at 10:17 pm

‘Sandi’ don’t come out of the ‘closet’ much however I have to comment that on this ‘1’-keep the heat on em.

The truth needs to prevail on this story and take these ‘children’ to the woodshed if they are fucking with ya.

Reply
Buz Martin December 6, 2014 at 3:18 pm

Obviously not the “real” Sandi/pogo.

"real" guest December 7, 2014 at 8:40 am

lol!! Is that a determination made by THE failed bizzaro, insane, wacko super sleuth OR just THE KING of false and defaming conspiratorial theories having a paranoid fit of delusional grandeur while wiping his ass with the newspaper? :)

Buz Martin December 7, 2014 at 9:38 am

Whatever the talking snakes in your head tell, you Sandi/pogo.

YOU are there “real” one. There is no real one without quotation marks.

Friend of Tuck December 5, 2014 at 3:34 am

If truly hope that you checked your sources. And that you’re not just making this up for show. Because if you are, you have no idea the blade you just stabbed deep into an open wound….of everyone (and there are so so sooo many of us) who ever loved him.

Reply
Porschegal December 7, 2014 at 1:37 am

IS it more important to investigate the whole incident and find the real truth or to assume the frat boys are speaking honestly and drop it to avoid charges being filed, families being ashamed, educations being ended or a promising life taken in a ignorant, selfish way? I’d turn very rock and stone over to learn the truth. Schools always attempt to handle thing internally until they can no longer contain it. Look how long and to the extent Penn State tried to tuen their head the other way…………..the truth comes out sooner or later and so will justice.

Reply
Sam December 5, 2014 at 6:11 am

Now it all makes sense.

Reply
Dean Vernon Wormer December 5, 2014 at 6:21 am

Fat, dumb, and stupid is no way to go through life, son”[sigma phi epsilon].

Reply
Anonymous December 5, 2014 at 7:39 am

As a student at Clemson University and knowing people who knew Tucker and are greatly affected by his death I find your article extremely insensitive and slanderous. If you’re not a reliable/accredited news source, you probably shouldn’t even be writing for the fact you’re embarrassing yourself. I mean come on you have ads with half naked women on them talking about how to make women obsess over you. I’ve unfortunately come across many of your articles before pertaining to Clemson in a negative way. It’s time for you to walk out of your Mom’s basement and get a life/real job. You’re article is going to spread over social media and cause even more hurt where there is already pain. An article that is hardly reliable. Let the police and investigators do their job and let justice be served, they don’t need any of your help. Find something else to write about..please.

Reply
Squishy123 December 5, 2014 at 5:44 pm

Did a frat boy just slam Will?

Reply
xx December 5, 2014 at 6:17 pm

You’re definitely not an English major.

Reply
GrandTango December 5, 2014 at 7:58 am

Clemson is one of the most covered-up bastions of secrecy in the nation. Just look at all the hidden scandals with their football program (Jetski incident) from a few years ago..

As long as the media goes along with it…they’ll get away w/ it…

Reply
Buz Martin December 5, 2014 at 9:32 am

HO-LEE SHIT, GT!!

You have suddenly spoken a sanely-stated truth.

I think that’s one of the Signs of the Apocalypse.

Reply
mamatiger92 December 5, 2014 at 9:33 am

“covered-up bastions of secrecy”?

I’m sure your local community college offers courses in creative writing. Look into it.

Reply
E Norma Scok December 5, 2014 at 2:02 pm

Lulz..always a conspiracy at Clemson, huh?

Don’t be so butt hurt, Emily.

Reply
Buz Martin December 6, 2014 at 3:21 pm

He’s not Emily. He’s T. Lawrence.

Reply
Scooter December 8, 2014 at 8:12 pm

you are one sick — — – —–

Reply
The Colonel December 5, 2014 at 8:01 am

Will’s a big boy and can defend himself but for all of you decrying the “slander, defamation and assorted other unfounded allegations”, you might want to do a little research. The sheriff’s department’s language has changed significantly since their first “…no evidence of hazing…” statements. http://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/news/local/pickens-county/2014/12/01/sheriff-tucker-hipps-investigation-nearly-complete/19735705/

Reply
Not a "Chad" December 5, 2014 at 8:05 am

Michael REESE- emphasis on the Reese because you didn’t even spell it correctly in your article- did not die because of a fraternity related incident. You should have checked the facts surrounding his death before placing that into your article.

Reply
Clemson94 December 5, 2014 at 8:18 am

Don’t believe this shit. Very untrue.

Reply
Buz Martin December 5, 2014 at 9:20 am

What, you mean heinous shit like that goes down at a college founded by such an upright citizen as the illustrious Mistah Pitchfork Ben Tillman?

Say it ain’t so, Sic. Say it ain’t so!

Reply
E Norma Scok December 5, 2014 at 2:13 pm

Well yeah…he’s still running the place, AND the entire state is STILL in their back pockets! They can do anything they want!!1! amiright?

Reply
ha! December 8, 2014 at 2:35 pm

yup, don’t forget Calhoun and Thurmond came back from the dead to run Clemson and force their ideals as well…
/s

Reply
Timmy Tebow December 5, 2014 at 9:34 am

Wow. Sounds like a concerted effort by frat boys to besmirch FIts and bring the website down. I winder if they’ll try a 404 attack anytime soon?

Reply
Timmy Tebow December 5, 2014 at 9:39 am

Well at least this time they didn’t force a drunk girl to scootch across a 2 inch window ledge 30 feet off the ground on a rainy December evening…

Reply
E Norma Scok December 5, 2014 at 2:02 pm

Nobody forced her to do that. She did it on her own accord.

Reply
CUgrad December 5, 2014 at 5:08 pm

I once scootched a Clemson girl in my Accord. She was awesome.

Reply
TontoBubbaGoldstein December 5, 2014 at 7:25 pm

I once scootched a Clemson girl in my Accord. She was awesome.

TBG once scootched a Clemson girl on your Accord. Your shocks needed replacing.

Sorry about the dents in the hood, Chief.

Reply
CUGrad December 7, 2014 at 1:30 pm

Lol, might have been the same one. I wondered how those dents got there.

mamatiger92 December 5, 2014 at 9:41 am

Who are the sources? How are they involved?

Reply
sloppyseconded December 5, 2014 at 11:28 am

If the sources were public and people were willing to attach their names to leaking information during an ongoing investigation, everyone would be reporting this. At least FITS is trying, I’ve been following this case since September and this is some of the more (seemingly) raw investigative information released. So far, the police haven’t so much as provided the kid’s toxicology results or explained anything about why the student affairs VP was axed.

Reply
heavyheart December 5, 2014 at 10:16 am

the entire situation is sad, and to all the frat boys attacking the writer for “living in his moms basement” id just like to ask how that is relevant? a boy died. under extremely suspicious circumstances. the writer of this article is doing his job. Ive heard from multiple sources at clemson that Sig Eps are notorious for their hazing. specifially hanging pledges from the bridge. you have every reason to believe this article. and i see no evidence that says we should back up abandoning our “brother” and leaving him for dead. even if there was no foul play, who would just leave their BROTHER for dead… some brotherhood.

Reply
vicupstate December 5, 2014 at 2:14 pm

Yeah right, because whenever something suspicious happens, the ‘rumors’ are always right. JFK had 5 different assassins and we never went to the moon.

Let the authorities have their say before condemning these students. No one has been proven guilty of anything yet. If this story is the truth, I will support the appropriate punishment for all involved. It will take a lot more than FITS ‘sources’ to convince me,

Reply
"Not fits news" December 5, 2014 at 11:06 am

While I question your credibility because of your lack of sources, I find it humorous that someone so incompetent could publish this article and think to call themselves a journalist or writer. The sign off was “fitsnews.” Yes we know you pretentious idiot, It’s blasted all over your page. How about you state your name instead of hiding behind a generic sign off. Probably the most preposterous thing about all of this is the fact that you claim that Michaels death has something to do with the fraternity. Don’t think it was told that he was a brother, not a pledge, and also you failed to mention the circumstances of his death. All you do is throw his name in there as another “example” right? Wrong, you ignorant fuck, your placement of him in the article makes it seem like his death was connected to the fraternity which is in no way, shape, or form true. If you’d like to come down to clemson and speak with me I’d be more then happy to host you and give you a verbal slap in the face with my dick on how you were wrong. That is all.

Reply
GreasyGranny December 5, 2014 at 11:23 am

Hey Tommy Tough Nuts, between your excessive use of commas along with sentence, I can only assume you are drunk/a Clemson frat kid/both. No one wants to come down for the “verbal slap in the face” with your mini-member.

Oh, and it’s more “than” happy, Jane Austen. Put down the bottle and read a book you Clemptard.

Reply
Student December 5, 2014 at 12:36 pm

Sig Ep was known for being the douchiest fraternity on campus. It goes hand-in-hand with being a ‘top tier’ frat here at Clemson. You have no idea of the amount of weeping and gnashing of teeth during the suspension (which only lasted a brief period of time) of fraternity social events. Remember that these fraternities think it is their god given right to f*ck girls and party like rockstars. Not long after then ban was imposed, numerous frats complained to their alumni, who collectively threatened to withhold millions of dollars in donations from the university unless the ban was removed. Also, fraternity alumni contacted the board of trustees and other well-to-do folks. Basically the university was forced to renege on the ban, because of arm twisting from the frats. VP of Student Affairs Gail Disabatino already had a poor reputation with the greeks (they boo her and post nasty things about her all the time). She may have already been on the way out, but the Tucker Hipps situation certainly didn’t help. Currently, the university is in PR crisis mode. Word on the street is that they wanted to wait and let everybody find out about this after students had left for winter break, in order to minimize the bad publicity. Also, numerous high-powered attorneys from Sig Ep are defending this case and will stop at nothing to make sure that the truth never surfaces.

Reply
Disgusted Alum December 10, 2014 at 12:54 pm

One sec, I’ve got the jelly school on hold at the moment. I think they want to talk to you.

Everyone on this site and every other media outlet is doing one thing, speculating. Its everyone’s chance to jump on the “fuck fraternities” bandwagon, and mind you, in the worst possible way.

This isn’t a shot at someone’s douchey personality, or misogynistic attitude toward women, you are insinuating that these men committed murder. Murder. Get a grip. This occurred at the beginning of the pledge season when most of the pledges barely knew any of the brothers and had much closer ties with their own pledge brothers than any “authority figure” in the fraternity. Those pledges would have fessed up as to what happened so fucking fast it would have made heads spin.

In what universe do you think 20+ members of a fraternity that were in proximity to Tucker the day he died would risk the rest of their lives by covering up a murder? How likely is it that not one, not ONE member of the fraternity has even let on that this was in anyway part of their hazing ritual? I know for a fact that its not. Want to know how? I was in Sig Ep for 4 years and graduated in 2011. We would NEVER do anything like this want to know why? a) most importantly, people could die/get seriously injured b) its way to early in the pledge season for anything remotely harsh hazing wise (pledges who aren’t friends with brothers can get you in trouble) and c) its fucking stupid.

People need to put their ignorant biases behind them and look at this scenario objectively. Get a grip on reality and stop acting like 9/11 was an elaborate plan by the Bush administration, the moon landing was recorded in a Hollywood studio, and Roswell is harboring aliens.

Reply
Timmie December 10, 2014 at 3:17 pm

If these boys had nothing to do with this, please explain to me why a defense atty daddy was called BEFORE the cops were called. Also explain why several of them have lawyered up and are not talking to LE?

Reply
Student December 22, 2014 at 2:08 pm

“Cindy and I are 99.8% sure that this was not an accident.” – Gary Hipps

Reply
Andy December 5, 2014 at 1:00 pm

TOTAL HORSESHIT! Not one ounce of truth in this article.

Reply
You know nothing December 5, 2014 at 1:37 pm

This article is entirely based on rumors and tentative information. Twisting the already questionable truth to express your unsupported bias, does not not give you the right to tarnish the name of not only the Greek community, but Clemson University and most importantly more than one greek members’ Families. Fuck you.

Reply
Student December 5, 2014 at 1:46 pm

No. The frats don’t want this information to come out, and numerous lawyers are protecting everything that is Sig Ep. Last night this article made many of these boys shit their pants because they know we are getting closer to the truth of what happened.

Reply
Anon December 5, 2014 at 1:54 pm

You have typos in your article. If you even want to seem like a reliable source, you should look over and spell check your work before publishing it.

Reply
TontoBubbaGoldstein December 5, 2014 at 7:28 pm

You have typos in your article.

TYPOS in a FITSNEWS POST????!!!!!
Aunt Pittypat! Fetch TBG his smelling salts.

Reply
Clemson Rocky December 5, 2014 at 2:02 pm

Those silly kids. Gee whiz.

Reply
FITSsucksDICKS December 5, 2014 at 2:38 pm

Don’t call fraternities “frats.” You wouldn’t call your America a “cunt” would you?

Reply
klekky December 6, 2014 at 2:01 pm

Yes, I would.

Reply
Student December 6, 2014 at 2:19 pm

This comment represents the average intelligence of a frat boy at Clemson. What an idiot.

Reply
easterndumbfuckistan December 5, 2014 at 2:49 pm

The frat boys are mad. Isn’t that cute.

Reply
jlongsc December 5, 2014 at 3:21 pm

Was FITs wrong about ol’ Bobby and his ethics violations?
Was FITs wrong about Charleston School of Law and the founders / INFILaw Gig?

No…..

Regardless, the truth will come out. Investigations actually work, and kids will either tell the truth or lie. The ones that lied will probably not remember what they lied about the first time, etc…everyone knows how this works. The facts given to the public were enough to determine that something out of the norm happened. Do typos in an article negate a “creditable source”? Of course fucking not…Instead of everyone getting their panties in a wad, sit back and wait for the truth to come out.

Reply
BMoore December 5, 2014 at 4:39 pm

“…a source at Clemson has confirmed to FITS that Hipps’ parents were recently informed that a hazing ritual gone wrong was responsible for their son’s death – and that the school was taking the “necessary steps” to ensure similar tragedies did not occur in the future.” As members of Gary and Cindy Hipps family, my wife and I can unequivocally confirm that this is a patently false statement. FITSNews should be ashamed of themselves for being so arrogant as to assert that they are so important that a source at Clemson would inform them of this news before either the parents or the major news outlets. It may turn out, and we suspect that it will, that hazing had something to do with Tuckers death, but you need to back off your delusions of grandeur!

Reply
Student December 5, 2014 at 6:14 pm

Last night, fraternity boys shit their pants after discovering this article. They were so afraid, they attempted to prevent anybody from seeing it, via an attack on Fits’ servers. Clemson is trying to keep hush about the whole Tucker thing, and so is everyone affiliated with the fraternity. The more publicity this picks up (in the Clemson area), the more these fuckers realize that they should just throw in the towel and admit what happened.

Reply
BMoore December 5, 2014 at 6:42 pm

I don’t know anything about all that. What I do know is that this statement in the article was false, and that speaks to the credibility of the writer. This is disrespectful and hurtful to the family,

Reply
Stop Making Me Laugh December 5, 2014 at 7:57 pm

Of course they did. We also know the denial of service attacks on Fitsnews originated from Clemson students, too. Tell your friends the man is coming for them. They can’t hide anymore. When they are arrested, their names will be plastered all over this website and on mainstream media’s, too. You’re all a bunch of ignorant fools. Many of you are going to prison for cyber crimes.

Reply
E Norma Scok December 5, 2014 at 9:10 pm

lulz..puh lease.

Reply
Timmy Tebow December 5, 2014 at 11:58 pm

oh good lord

Reply
Stop Making Me Laugh December 5, 2014 at 7:52 pm

They would not tell you because the cops told them not too.

Reply
klekky December 6, 2014 at 1:43 pm

If they wouldn’t tell a family member why would they tell a third-rate news blog?

Reply
Call crimestoppers December 5, 2014 at 6:02 pm

What are your sources? Yik Yak rumors?? Tucker’s own father posted saying that this article is “sensationalism.” No one has brought this information to the police or crimestoppers, which they can do anonymously. Really curious as to why that hasn’t happened? Seriously, you’re using this article as an attempt to get more viewers for your sight and it’s just making it worse for his family.

Reply
uh oh December 5, 2014 at 8:59 pm

My offspring is at Clemson. He said it was common knowledge that Tucker’s frat was being investigated for slipping the date rape drug in girls drinks and having sex with them. If Tucker’s death was “by accident” due to hazing then at the very least they (whomever was involved should get involuntary manslaughter). Hazing is illegal, but it does not stop these punks who think they are so cool. If it were my child I would not rest until the truth came out. Hell hath no fury like a pissed of mama!

Reply
klekky December 6, 2014 at 1:51 pm

He left out details – the girl was lying about being drugged and was required to formally apologize to them for the false accusation.

Reply
gm5425 December 8, 2014 at 11:23 am

Why would anyone need to use a drug to have sex with a girl? Things must have changed since I went to college in the early 70’s.

Reply
Pat December 6, 2014 at 12:57 am

Shame on u fits news. U have no idea of the families u r hurting. God only knows how u sleep at night. god help u if u ever haves tragedy in your life.

Reply
Porschegal December 7, 2014 at 1:10 am

Maybe you should hold your shame for the frat boys that may have tossed, held him over the bridge ankles first and cause his death, before you roast U Fits news. The parents are going to be hurting 1000x worse if this young man lost his life because of an ignorant ,senseless death brought upon for a frat hazing ritual.

Reply
J Bel December 6, 2014 at 9:49 am

Unfortunately, Tucker Hipps was not the only young person who died as a result their interaction with a college fraternity. Just since the beginning this academic year,
there have been numerous deaths.

On Sept. 5. 2014, Clayton Real, a student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, died at the FarmHouse Fraternity house. On Sept. 22, Caitlyn Kovacs, a student at Rutgers University, died at the Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. On Oct. 5 Parker Jordan, a student at the University of Alabama died as a result of hazing activities at Theta Chi. On Nov. 8, Vaibhev Loomba a student at U of C Berkley, died at Zeta Psi. On Nov. 14, Nathan Burch, a student at West Virginia University died during pledge activities at Kappa Sigma. On Nov. 17, Trevor Duffy, a student at SUNY Albany died at a fraternity house.

None of these deaths were found to be from natural causes.

Reply
Anon December 6, 2014 at 1:33 pm

As long as hazing and drugging women for sex is an acceptable part of the Greek culture, there should be no frats. If donors care so much about preserving this culture that they are willing to stop donations, they should reconsider their moral and ethical values.

Reply
J Bel December 6, 2014 at 6:53 pm

Fraternities are little more than gangs affiliated with a college. They constantly engage in petty crimes like vandalism, disturbing the peace, selling drugs, and supplying alcohol to the under-aged. The serious crimes of homicide, sexual abuse, rape, and violent assault are more common than colleges like to admit.

The great majority of colleges and universities do fear loss of donations from frat member graduates. When my alma mater
calls me, I ask, “do you still recognize frats?” When they answer in the positive that they do, I explain I cannot make a donation on that basis. If they hear that from more people they might reconsider their pro frat position. That, of course, is a long run strategy.
In the short run, we should demand indictments and encourage law suits.

Probably the most effective short run approach is to keep frat criminality in the public eye and warn parents, to paraphrase Willie Nelson, ‘Don’t let your sons grow up to be frat boys’.

Reply
ProgressiveMind December 6, 2014 at 9:53 am

All this unattributed gossip is really helpful. Thanks FITSnews.

Reply
I See Dumb Peopl December 6, 2014 at 10:58 am

Yeah … looks like Clemson officials retaliated against the student affairs VP. Power has gone to their heads up there. Thing is, all that education Clemson officials have, but they are still dumb as shit. The firing looks bad and highly suspicious.

Reply
klekky December 6, 2014 at 2:03 pm

We don’t even know that she was fired. She could have resigned on her own, which would be reasonable given the stress she’s been going through and the irrational hatred all the frat boys have been spewing at her.

Reply
Sam December 6, 2014 at 6:30 pm

Well, you can put so much pressure on an employee that they have little choice but to resign. And the fact that the university isn’t saying a whole lot about her departure makes it seem like she didn’t just come up with the idea all on her own. Did she ever give an official, public reason for leaving?

Reply
They Know He Was Murdered December 7, 2014 at 11:59 am

She will at the coming criminal trial for the murder of Hipps.

Reply
Sam December 7, 2014 at 9:44 pm

Well, the more info we the public receive, the better.

TyroneMamaCollards December 6, 2014 at 12:28 pm

Lucky the attorney who gets to file the lawsuit…….

Reply
Oily Taintz December 6, 2014 at 3:23 pm

Somebody hit a nerve.

Reply
VoiceofReason December 7, 2014 at 8:35 am

Breaking news: FitsNews is to be bought by the National Enquirer and sold at grocery stores near you.

According to the Enquirer, “we just could not compete so we bought them.”

Reply
ByeByePickensTech December 7, 2014 at 4:57 pm

Breaking News: Clemson University to be shut down and the campus burned for fire wood.

Reply
Ashley December 8, 2014 at 7:05 pm

R.I.P. tucker hipps!

Reply
Disgusted Alum December 10, 2014 at 12:55 pm

Everyone on this site and every other media outlet is doing one thing, speculating. Its everyone’s chance to jump on the “fuck fraternities” bandwagon, and mind you, in the worst possible way.

This isn’t a shot at someone’s douchey personality, or misogynistic attitude toward women, you are insinuating that these men committed murder. Murder. Get a grip. This occurred at the beginning of the pledge season when most of the pledges barely knew any of the brothers and had much closer ties with their own pledge brothers than any “authority figure” in the fraternity. Those pledges would have fessed up as to what happened so fucking fast it would have made heads spin.

In what universe do you think 20+ members of a fraternity that were in proximity to Tucker the day he died would risk the rest of their lives by covering up a murder? How likely is it that not one, not ONE member of the fraternity has even let on that this was in anyway part of their hazing ritual? I know for a fact that its not. Want to know how? I was in Sig Ep for 4 years and graduated in 2011. We would NEVER do anything like this want to know why? a) most importantly, people could die/get seriously injured b) its way to early in the pledge season for anything remotely harsh hazing wise (pledges who aren’t friends with brothers can get you in trouble) and c) its fucking stupid.

People need to put their ignorant biases behind them and look at this scenario objectively. Get a grip on reality and stop acting like 9/11 was an elaborate plan by the Bush administration, the moon landing was recorded in a Hollywood studio, and Roswell is harboring aliens.

Reply
BeeELzeeBUB December 10, 2014 at 11:57 pm

What universe you ask? The universe of Sig Ep on Clemson’s campus, where 20+ members could be charged with manslaughter and be put away the ‘rest of their lives’. Then maybe, just maybe, they wouldn’t be so quick to ‘fess up’. Way too early in the pledge season for any harsh hazing…so it happens LATER in the pledge season? What about the hazing that had already taken place those first 3 weeks of ‘early pledging’? What about getting locked in a car on a 90 degree day and have the heat turned on full blast until your pledges pass out? That’s not harsh hazing? How about having your underage pledges drink and then put them in a room to drink more and pour alcohol over their heads while they chant and scream? Maybe things changed after you left in 2011, but I doubt it.

Reply

Leave a Comment