University of Michigan Fraternity Ordered to Preserve Evidence in Student's Death

Attorney for family of 19-year-old student who died after leaving fraternity party demands preservation of records

Feb. 5, 2026 at 5:31pm

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The attorney for the family of a 19-year-old University of Michigan student who was found dead after being reported missing has requested that the university and a campus fraternity, Delta Chi, preserve all evidence related to the student's death. The attorney believes the fraternity is "100% at fault" for serving alcohol to the underage student, which he says led to the student's death from freezing after leaving the party intoxicated.

Why it matters

This case highlights concerns about fraternities serving alcohol to underage students and the potential legal liability they may face under Michigan's Social Host Liability Law. It also raises questions about campus safety and the university's role in overseeing Greek life activities.

The details

According to the attorney, Lucas Mattson, a 19-year-old student from Alaska, was last seen walking alone near the Delta Chi fraternity house at around 1 a.m. on January 23 after leaving a party there. The attorney believes Mattson was given alcohol at the party, which led to his death from exposure after he walked outside without a coat in freezing weather. The attorney has sent a letter demanding that the university and the fraternity preserve all evidence, including recordings, guest lists, and incident reports, related to Mattson's death.

  • Mattson was last seen walking alone near the Delta Chi fraternity house at around 1 a.m. on January 23.
  • The attorney sent the letter of preservation to the university and fraternity on January 31.

The players

Bobby Raitt

An attorney from Ann Arbor-based Raitt Law who is representing the family of Lucas Mattson and has opened an investigation into Mattson's death.

Lucas Mattson

A 19-year-old University of Michigan student from Alaska who was found dead after being reported missing and walking outside without a coat in freezing weather.

Delta Chi Fraternity

The University of Michigan fraternity where Mattson was last seen before his death.

University of Michigan

The university where Mattson was a student and where the incident occurred.

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What they’re saying

“Right now, what we know is that this Delta Chi fraternity 100% served alcohol to Lucas Mattson as a 19-year-old. No safety measures were in place to prevent him from drinking or leaving drunk.”

— Bobby Raitt, Attorney (The Detroit News)

“His mom is a single, divorced mom. (Mattson) was an only child. ... He came all the way from Alaska to the University of Michigan, where he wanted to study engineering. ... He was conscientious, kind. He was his mother's whole life.”

— Bobby Raitt, Attorney (The Detroit News)

What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the fraternity to release any records related to the incident.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the need for stricter oversight and accountability of fraternities when it comes to serving alcohol to underage students. It also raises concerns about campus safety and the university's role in preventing such incidents from occurring.