The family of a UC Santa Barbara student, reportedly subjected to assault and strangulation, fears vital evidence may slip away as the campus empties for summer break.
Tyrone Maho, the attorney representing the 18-year-old freshman’s family, revealed that authorities have not yet apprehended anyone in connection to the shocking incident, which has left the campus community reeling with anxiety and frustration.
As the academic year draws to a close next week, Maho expressed the family’s concern that critical evidence could vanish with the departure of students.
“We are deeply worried that as the semester ends, many individuals, including potential witnesses and even the suspect, might leave the area,” Maho stated.
The family is distressed over the lack of progress in identifying the attacker, Maho noted.
“Their concern is profound,” he added.
The alleged assault is believed to have occurred on May 9 after the victim and an unidentified suspect met at Sigma Pi fraternity party in Isla Vista, the nearby college town surrounding the university.
According to Maho, the coed left the party at about 10 p.m. and was seen with her alleged attacker at the Tropicana Gardens dormitory between 10:36 and 11:05 p.m. That’s where the assault allegedly took place.
The victim called 911 to report the attack that night, according to Maho.
Authorities have not publicly identified a suspect in the case.
The parents of the victim have demanded that campus police bring outside law enforcement into the investigation, saying they fear the college could mishandle the case just as they believe happened following another student’s death last year.
The family also retained private investigator Michael Claytor amid concerns that the UCSB Police Department may not have the resources needed to fully investigate the still-unsolved attack.
The family pressed for the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department to join the investigation, saying a larger agency with broader experience is needed to track down the attacker.
They cited the unresolved death of UCSB freshman Elizabeth “Liz” Hamel, 18, who suffered fatal injuries after falling from a third-floor breezeway at San Rafael Residence Hall on Feb. 14, 2025.
As concern continues to build, students and community members gathered for a candlelight vigil held for the survivor in Isla Vista.
Small groups gathered in Greek Park for the somber event as daylight faded on May 26, with attendees clustering in circles along paved paths.
The vigil served both as a show of support for the survivor and a public call for accountability in a case that continues to upset the campus community.
Despite facing ongoing pressure to solve the case, Maho said the victim’s family has not been notified by campus police of any updates in the investigation.
“With the strangulation and a sexual assault, it looks like clearly an attempted murder,” said Maho. “Having him at large is not safe for my client or for the community.”
