New Jersey authorities are investigating whether hazing was involved in the death on Friday of a Rider University freshman who was hospitalized after drinking heavily at a fraternity house.

Gary DeVercelly, an 18-year-old from California, was taken to the hospital early Thursday morning, according to the Associated Press, after Lawrence Township police officers responded to a call from the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity house. The news service quoted students as saying the fraternity’s Wednesday-night parties were well known. Police officers searched the fraternity house on Thursday and removed some items. Rider officials said they would wait for the local prosecutor’s office to finish its investigation before making any decision regarding university discipline.

An assistant Mercer County prosecutor told The New York Times that “everything was on table.” The officer suggested that, depending on the results of the investigation, charges ranging from misdemeanor hazing to manslaughter could be filed. —Scott Smallwood