Heartbroken Louisiana sorority calls Madison Brooks a 'hero' after her organs are donated
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA: The Alpha Phi chapter at Louisiana State University paid tribute to its sophomore member Madison Brooks who was fatally struck by a car after allegedly being raped inside a car following a night of drinking at a bar on Sunday, January 15. The 19-year-old was called a "hero" by the sorority after learning her heart and kidneys were donated.
The East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office arrested several people on Monday January 23 on suspicion of rape in connection with Brooks' death. A 17-year-old juvenile and Kaivon Deondre Washington, 18, were arrested and charged with third-degree rape. In addition, Casen Carver, 18, and Everett Lee, 28, were arrested and accused of being principles to the crime as they were present but not directly involved in the rape.
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The Alpha Phi, Delta Tau Chapter, posted an emotional tribute to Brooks on Facebook. "We are grieving the sudden and tragic loss of our sister, Madison Brooks, following the accident that took her life. Madison was a sophomore and made a lasting impact on all of us," the group said in a statement, adding, "She was also a hero and was able to donate her heart and kidneys to save others. We send our deepest sympathies to her family and friends during this incredibly difficult time. And we respectfully ask for time and space so we may support each other in our healing process. AOE."
According to police, 19-year-old Brooks left a bar in Tigerland around 1.am and got into a vehicle with the four suspects. The 18-year-old Washington and the 17-year-old unnamed juvenile allegedly then raped her in the back seat while the other two suspects sat in the front seat. Madison, who was heavily intoxicated, was then dropped off at a random location and the suspects drove off. She was then struck by a vehicle around 3.am on Burbank Drive near Pelican Lakes Parkway. Authorities later determined the driver showed no signs or evidence of impairment, according to CBS 42.
MEAWW previously reported how Brooks, endearingly known as Madi to her friends, was a native of Covington, Louisiana. She was a sophomore with the Alpha Phi sorority at LSU and had previously attended the Catholic, all-girls high school St. Scholastica Academy where she was a cheerleader. "Madison was a daughter, a granddaughter, a sister, a niece, a classmate, and a friend to many of you. By all accounts, she was an amazing young woman with limitless potential," LSU President William Tate said in a statement on Monday, January 23. "She should not have been taken from us in this way. What happened to her was evil, and our legal system will parcel out justice."
LSU offered its thoughts and prayers to those who knew Brooks in a statement on Monday, and informed students could seek counseling at the Mental Health Service in the Student Health Center. The LSU Manship School of Mass Communication also released its own statement Monday extending condolences to Brooks' loved ones. "Our thoughts are with the loved ones of Madison Brooks, an LSU mass communication sophomore who tragically died Sunday," the statement read. "Madison had just been accepted into the Manship School. We extend our deepest condolences to her family and friends during this heartbreaking time." An investigation into the tragic Sunday crash continues.