Lawsuits Consolidated in Death of Clemson Student

GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) _ A judge has consolidated two lawsuits that were filed after a Clemson University student was found dead in Lake Hartwell more than a year ago.

The Greenville News reported that Circuit Judge Robin Stilwell said consolidating the two lawsuits filed by Tucker Hipps’ family would be more efficient and convenient for the court.

Hipps’s body was found in Lake Hartwell in September, 2014, after an early morning run with members of a fraternity the Piedmont sophomore was pledging to join.

One of the lawsuits was a wrongful death case, the other sought damages for the family’s loss. Each lawsuit sought $25 million from three members of Sigma Phi Epsilon, the national and local chapters of the fraternity and Clemson University.

All the defendants have denied responsibility for Hipps’ death.