Lawyer for Cornell rape victim reports evidence has gone missing
5 october 2026 в 09:37
The lawyer for an unknown victim of an alleged gang rape at Cornell University believes that key evidence may be lost. According to Thomas Giffra, representing the interests of the victim, if the investigation had been conducted in New York, investigators would have obtained search warrants and seized all mobile phones of the suspects. He expressed confidence that in such a case, all necessary materials could have been downloaded.
Giffra also stated that there are likely «other photographs» and videos of the alleged sexual assault that have been hidden or destroyed. He suggested that these materials might be at the bottom of Cayuga Lake in New York, adding that after the accused learned about the issue, they disposed of the evidence. The lawyer noted that investigators allowed this to happen.
The victim filed a civil lawsuit in September, claiming she was raped at the Chi Phi fraternity house in 2024. She stated that she was forced to consume ketamine, smoke marijuana, and drink alcohol before she was allegedly raped by at least seven fraternity members. However, the lawyer now claims that there were likely more alleged perpetrators.
The victim reported the incident a few weeks later, but none of the Chi Phi members faced criminal charges. Two defendants were expelled, two were suspended, and the others were instructed to write essays and undergo training after the campus investigation, according to The New York Times. Meanwhile, the victim left the university.
After the lawsuit was filed, Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten announced that his office would reopen the case. Cornell, which claimed to have taken all necessary actions at the time, publicly supported this decision.
Giffra also noted that the initial investigation was poorly conducted. He expressed doubt that investigators accurately know who was involved in the incident, claiming that the victim was «out of it» during the alleged attack.
Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff recently released a statement regarding the allegations, noting that what happened to Jane Doe in 2024 is deeply troubling and will impact the community for years to come. He promised that the university would continue to take all necessary steps to address such issues.
Giffra also stated that there are likely «other photographs» and videos of the alleged sexual assault that have been hidden or destroyed. He suggested that these materials might be at the bottom of Cayuga Lake in New York, adding that after the accused learned about the issue, they disposed of the evidence. The lawyer noted that investigators allowed this to happen.
The victim filed a civil lawsuit in September, claiming she was raped at the Chi Phi fraternity house in 2024. She stated that she was forced to consume ketamine, smoke marijuana, and drink alcohol before she was allegedly raped by at least seven fraternity members. However, the lawyer now claims that there were likely more alleged perpetrators.
The victim reported the incident a few weeks later, but none of the Chi Phi members faced criminal charges. Two defendants were expelled, two were suspended, and the others were instructed to write essays and undergo training after the campus investigation, according to The New York Times. Meanwhile, the victim left the university.
After the lawsuit was filed, Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten announced that his office would reopen the case. Cornell, which claimed to have taken all necessary actions at the time, publicly supported this decision.
Giffra also noted that the initial investigation was poorly conducted. He expressed doubt that investigators accurately know who was involved in the incident, claiming that the victim was «out of it» during the alleged attack.
Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff recently released a statement regarding the allegations, noting that what happened to Jane Doe in 2024 is deeply troubling and will impact the community for years to come. He promised that the university would continue to take all necessary steps to address such issues.
© Smirnova Olga
