The family of an 18-year-old student, who was reportedly raped and killed at the University of California, Santa Barbara, is anxious that as students leave for summer break, critical evidence leading to her attacker might vanish.
Tyrone Maho, the lawyer for the victim’s family, noted that police have yet to make any arrests following this terrible incident, which has sparked significant fear and frustration in a university known for its party atmosphere.
He expressed concern about the timing, stating, “We are really worried that as the school year ends, a lot of witnesses, including possibly the suspect, might leave the area.”
Maho also mentioned the family’s heartbreak over the lack of arrests thus far and emphasized their deep concern.
The alleged attack is said to have taken place on May 9, after the victim met the unidentified suspect at a Sigma Pi fraternity in Isla Vista, a neighborhood adjacent to the university. She reportedly left the party at around 10 p.m. and was later seen with her alleged attacker in the Tropicana Gardens dormitory between 10:36 and 11:05 p.m.
It was reported that the victim called 911 that night to alert authorities about the incident.
Currently, no suspects have been made public. The victim’s parents, worried about a possible mishandling of the case after another student’s death last year, are urging the campus police to engage outside law enforcement for a thorough investigation.
In light of their concerns that UCSB police may lack sufficient resources to fully address the unresolved case, the family has also hired private investigator Michael Claytor.
They have requested assistance from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department, believing that a larger agency would have the necessary expertise to find the assailants. They referenced the unsolved death of a fellow student, Elizabeth “Liz” Hummel, who fell from a third-floor passageway and suffered fatal injuries in February 2025.
As anxiety surrounding the case mounts, students and community supporters gathered for a candlelight vigil for survivors in Isla Vista.
On the evening of May 26, a small group convened in Greek Park, forming a circle along a walkway for the solemn occasion. The vigil was both a gesture of solidarity for survivors and a call for accountability regarding the troubling incident that has deeply affected the campus community.
Despite ongoing pressure for resolution in the case, Maho expressed frustration that the victim’s family has not received regular updates from campus police. “It looks like this was an attempted murder… it’s dangerous for both my client and the community to have this individual still at large,” he stated.
