Prosecutor reopens rape investigation after missing evidence surfaces

A district attorney in New York has reopened a criminal investigation into an alleged gang rape at Cornell University. The incident happened in October 2024, when a female student accused seven fraternity members of drugging and assaulting her. The district attorney, Matthew Van Houten, chose not to bring charges at the time. He now says he never saw the full police interview with the victim before making that decision. His office also missed a screenshot from a group chat that may show a fraternity member involved in the assault. A civil lawsuit filed in 2026 contained new details that Van Houten described as very different from what he had previously reviewed. Cornell expelled two fraternity members and punished others after its own internal inquiry. The case will now go to a grand jury.