New documents emerged in the Cornell University gang rape case where the victim, identified as Jane Doe, went from doubting herself to reporting an alleged gang rape at the Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024.
According to the Title IX investigation records obtained by The New York Times, Jane Doe initially told roommates she had consensual sex with multiple men after consuming ketamine. She even texted one of the accused men, saying “none of the sexual stuff was illegal.”
But within weeks, her understanding shifted.
After reading an online forum post claiming Chi Phi brothers had “gang r*ped a sophomore,” she told investigators: “That’s the first time I had ever heard the narrative change that I wasn’t a wh*re and that I was assaulted.”
On November 3, she texted the accused, clearly stating that “90% of what happened that night was not consensual.”
She collected evidence including photos of bruises, and requested a rape kit on November 7. The next day, she reported the alleged assault to Cornell police.
In her six-page police statement, Jane Doe stated she was “pretty incapacitated,” felt pressured, and was hit.
“To me that felt like coercion,” she added.
In a separate interview transcript, she said: “I can say with 100% confidence I was raped.”
Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Housten said his office never received that transcript before declining to file charges. He has since reopened the investigation.
Cornell maintains it shared “all investigatory information” with the DA. The university has agreed to an independent review, and the Chi Phi chapter has been closed. Jane Doe’s attorney says she no longer attends Cornell.
2026-10-01 18:06:00
