Brief
Lzzy Hale condemns alleged Cornell frat rapists, calls for punishment
The singer blasted the alleged perpetrators and called for accountability as New York appoints a special prosecutor.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Lzzy Hale, lead singer of Halestorm, used an Instagram post on Sept. 30 to denounce the alleged perpetrators in the Cornell University Chi Phi fraternity rape case, calling them “sick monsters” and demanding they be punished.
What happened
The case stems from a civil lawsuit filed by a former Cornell student, identified as Jane Doe, who alleges that in October 2024 she was drugged with ketamine and repeatedly assaulted by seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity. The alleged assault was reportedly discussed in a Snapchat group among fraternity members. Jane Doe reported the incident to campus police in November 2024, but the Tompkins County district attorney’s office declined to bring criminal charges at the time.
What the reports add
Billboard notes that NBC News reported the Snapchat group and that CBS News confirmed the victim’s November 2024 report to campus police. The outlet also cites that the seven men received varied sanctions from a “reflection paper” to suspension or expulsion from the university. On Oct. 1 2026, New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor to oversee a new investigation, as reported by Billboard.
What was said
Hale wrote, “If you are the kind of man who thinks it’s ok to reduce another human being to nothing more than something you can stick your d–k into … there is something severely wrong with you,” and added, “You are not a ‘promising young man,’ you are a sick monster that needs to be punished.” She continued, “If you are the kind of man who stands idly by while witnessing a r*pe … you are NOT ‘the good guy’ you are an accessory to the sexual assault and also need to be brought to justice.” Billboard attributes these quotes to Hale’s Instagram post.
How it came about
The lawsuit and subsequent public outcry revived the case that had been dormant since the 2024 campus police report. Earlier Felo News coverage documented the Tompkins County DA’s refusal to charge and the release of the victim’s interview transcript (Jake Tapper confronts Cornell DA, Cornell police interview transcript). The appointment of a special prosecutor follows those developments and reflects mounting pressure for accountability.
Key facts
- Lzzy Hale posted an Instagram condemnation of the alleged Cornell frat rapists on Sept. 30, 2026. (billboard.com)
- Jane Doe alleges she was drugged with ketamine and raped by seven Chi Phi members in October 2024. (billboard.com)
- Governor Kathy Hochul appointed AG Letitia James as special prosecutor on Oct. 1, 2026. (billboard.com)
- The alleged perpetrators received sanctions ranging from a reflection paper to suspension or expulsion. (billboard.com)
- The Tompkins County DA declined to pursue criminal charges after the November 2024 report. (billboard.com)
Timeline
- 2024-10-01 — Alleged assault took place at Chi Phi fraternity house.
- 2024-11-01 — Jane Doe reported the assault to campus police.
- 2026-10-01 — Governor Hochul appointed Letitia James as special prosecutor.
Sources
- [1] billboard.com — originally reported as “Lzzy Hale Slams Alleged Perpetrators in Cornell 7 Rape Case: ‘You Are a Sick Monster’”
