Animal Organ Left Outside of Beta Theta Pi House

Penn State Police on Thursday morning responded to the front walkway of the Beta Theta Pi house on North Burrowes Street after someone left an unidentified animal organ near the sidewalk.

Police said it appeared to be ‘a sick prank.’

“I can tell you it wasn’t a human body part,” Lt. Matt Cover said. “It was an animal organ, and the matter is still under investigation.”

No further information was available as of Thursday afternoon. (A photo of the animal organ in front of the house can be seen below)

The Beta Theta Pi chapter had its recognition permanently revoked by the university and was disbanded by its national organization following the February death of 19-year-old pledge Timothy Piazza, who sustained fatal brain injuries and internal bleeding from multiple falls during an alcohol-soaked bid acceptance night.

Former members were evicted in March, but the chapter’s alumni corporation, which owns the house, has come under criticism for opening the house to alumni and guests to stay in and enjoy gatherings for a fee during Penn State football home weekends.

There have been no reported acts of vandalism or other crimes related to the house since the fraternity was banned. After Kappa Delta Rho fraternity was banned in 2015 following the discovery of private Facebook groups with photos of nude and partially-clothed unconscious women, that house was vandalized when someone spray painted ‘Tear It Down’ on the front wall.

An unidentified animal organ was left in front of Beta Theta Pi fraternity house, 220 N. Burrowes St. Photo by Hawkin Slusarski / Onward State