A parent’s worst nightmare has come true in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Four men have been arrested concerning the rape and death of 19-year-old Madison “Madi” Brooks, a student at Louisiana State University.
Madi was known to friends as a bubbly and selfless who was remembered for having limitless potential. She was a student at St. Scholastica Academy, an all-girls Catholic high school, before continuing her studies at LSU, where she was part of the Alpha Phi sorority.
Madi was struck and killed by a ride-share car on January 15 after being allegedly dumped in the street by men who had just raped her. After her death, East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office announced they arrested Kaivon Washington (18), Casen Carver (18), Everett Lee (28), alongside a 17-year-old whose identity is being withheld by authorities.
According to arrest documents, Madi had a blood alcohol level of .319 percent. It’s alleged that Madi was taken in a car by the four men, where they asked her to have sex with them – which she agreed to. However, the men have stated that they believed Madi was too drunk to know she was consenting.
From the Dailymail:
Carver has admitted that he and his three friends drank at the bar before leaving with Brooks who was “very unstable on her feet, was not able to keep her balance, and was unable to speak clearly without slurring her words,” the arrest document states.
Carver has admitted that he and his three friends drank at the bar before leaving with Brooks who was “very unstable on her feet, was not able to keep her balance, and was unable to speak clearly without slurring her words,” the arrest document states.
Afterward, Madi was dropped off in a neighborhood near the scene, where she ran into the middle of the road and was hit by a ride-share vehicle. Tragically, she subcumed to her wounds in the hospital. The driver who hit her has not been arrested and is not suspected of being under the influence.
Under Louisiana law, third-degree rape generally involves a victim who is “incapable of resisting or of understanding the nature of the act by reason of a stupor or abnormal condition of mind produced by an intoxicating agent or any cause and the offender knew or should have known of the victim’s incapacity.”
“Madison was a daughter, a granddaughter, a sister, a niece, a classmate, and a friend to many of you. By all accounts, she was an amazing young woman with limitless potential. She should not have been taken from us in this way. What happened to her was evil, and our legal system will parcel out justice,” said LSU President William Tate in a written statement.
He also pointed out that everyone involved in this scenario – except one – was underage but were drinking at a bar.
“All but one of the suspects involved in this horrific scenario were underage yet were able to consume alcohol at a local bar. As such, our action plan starts with a deep and relentless focus on any establishment that profits off our students by providing alcohol to underage individuals,” Tate added. “In the coming days, we will call a meeting with these business owners to discuss how their responsibilities directly impact the safety of our students. We will work openly against any business that doesn’t join us in efforts toward creating a safer environment for our students. Enough is enough.”
