Police investigate UNC fraternity death

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CARRBORO, N.C., Oct. 30 (UPI) -- The death of David Shannon, a University of North Carolina freshman, is being investigated to determine if hazing was involved, police said.

Shannon's body was found Saturday in a Carrboro, N.C., concrete plant by three fellow pledges and a sophomore member of the school's Chi Phi fraternity, The Charlotte Observer reported Tuesday.

He climbed a conveyor belt in the plant and fell 17 feet, sustaining serious injuries, and crawled about 90 feet before he died, said Carrboro police spokesman Chris Atack, adding alcohol may have played a role in Shannon's death.

Shannon was last seen early Saturday at a private residence, witnesses noting he was consuming alcohol, Atack said.

"We figured he'd slept in. That kind of stuff happens. He might have had a big night before. When it got to be later in the afternoon and we still hadn't received any phone calls we got worried," said junior Tucker Connett, a Chi Phi member.

Connett said the four fraternity members went looking for Shannon and may have used a tracking device on his cellphone to find him.