A new criminal investigation has been launched into allegations that a Cornell University student was gang raped by seven fraternity members at the Chi Phi house in October 2024. The Tompkins County District Attorney has announced plans to present the case to a grand jury for reconsideration after the victim filed a civil lawsuit this month and her attorney disclosed that she remains severely traumatised, suffering from anxiety, depression and chronic insomnia nearly two years after the alleged attack. The renewed probe represents a significant development, as prosecutors had initially declined to press charges in 2024.

The DA's office attributes the original decision not to prosecute to discrepancies between the victim's initial police statement and her current civil complaint. The District Attorney stated that the victim's original account did not allege she had been unknowingly drugged or had engaged in non-consensual sexual activity, though the victim's attorney disputes this characterisation and argues that the initial investigation lacked proper training and specialisation. The civil lawsuit alleges that during the alleged assault, fraternity members posted to a group chat referring to the victim as "free pussy", suggesting premeditation. The DA acknowledged that his office relied on Cornell University Police's investigation rather than conducting an independent inquiry, a practice he claimed was consistent with regional norms in upstate New York counties.