While the class of 2015 has made many good memories at MSU, there are still notable instances of crime and tragedy.
The State News has compiled a list of crimes committed that led to court cases and struggles which have struck the entire MSU community from 2011 to now.
Olivia Pryor
On March 19, 2012, Olivia Pryor was found dead in her Hubbard Hall dorm room.
Eastpointe, Mich., resident Marquez Cannon, one of the two suspects arrested after finding Pryor dead, was sentenced to six to 20 years in prison for one count of criminal sexual conduct in the first degree on May 8, 2013.
Cannon, who was 18 at the time, took full responsibility for the crime.
Andrew Singler
In November 2013 Okemos resident Connor McCowan was sentenced to a minimum of 20 years in prison for the murder of MSU student Andrew Singler.
McCowan’s family later appeared on “Dr. Phil” in 2014 to explain what they think happened the night the murder was committed.
Dominique Nolff
In April 2015 Marquay McCoy, a 20-year-old Grand Rapids resident, was sentenced to 32 to 48 years in prison after he fatally shot MSU student Dominique Nolff.
What began on Jan. 31, 2014 as an armed robbery over medical marijuana and an Apple laptop ended with Nolff and his roommate, hospitality business junior Corbin Holwerda, held at gunpoint.
Dustyn Frolka
Throughout 2014, three teens pleaded guilty to charges associated with MSU student Dustyn Frolka’s death in February.
Samantha Grigg, who was 18 at the time, will face up to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter and an unarmed robbery.
Tyrel Bredernitz pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in September and was sentenced to a minimum of 25 years in prison.
Brendan Heim, who was 16 at the time of the attack, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder. As part of a plea deal, he will serve 32 1/2 to 60 years in prison.
Andrew David Thompson
In 2012 former graduate student Andrew David Thompson was sentenced to five years of probation for torturing and killing 13 dogs.
Thompson only pleaded guilty to three of the 13 felony counts of animal killing.
Spartan Stadium bomb threat
On July 2, 2014, Spartan Stadium and surrounding buildings were evacuated due to a bomb threat which turned out to be false.
Lansing resident Anthony Shearer and his girlfriend, Cynthia Spade, were arrested for making the threat.
Only Spade was eventually charged.
Yik Yak threat
Former finance student Matthew Mullen was sentenced to two years probation and a payment of $1,737 in restitution fees after posting “I’m gonna (gun emoji) the school at 12:15 p.m. today,” on the social media app Yik Yak.
Sex soliciting
Former criminal justice student Ezequiel Chapa was arrested on Feb. 11, 2014, after police received a tip he was soliciting a 55-year-old man from Ovid, Michigan, for sex.
Chapa pleaded not guilty and took a plea deal which had a conditional requirement of no upfront jail time.
Raulie Casteel
MSU alumnus Raulie Casteel was sentenced to 18 to 40 years in prison for terrorism and 2 1/2 to 4 years for felony assault in 2014.
Casteel went on a shooting spree on I-96 in 2012. He shot at multiple motorists across several counties during the spree.
Zachary Tennen
In 2012 former student Zachary Tennen was assaulted, claiming it to be part of a hate crime.
Tennen, who is Jewish, originally claimed his jaw was stapled shut. His family later requested the case be closed.
Oswald Scott Wilder
Between March 30, 2013 and May 16, 2013, Vernon resident Oswald Scott Wilder physically or sexually assaulted a number of female MSU students.
After his arrest in August 2013, Wilder confessed to assaulting four students.
He was sentenced to 46 to 100 years in prison in December 2014.
David Marion Jr.
David Marion Jr. was sentenced to a minimum of 40 years in prison in 2012 for the murders of MSU student Darren Brown and his roommate Owen Goodenow.
He was accused of breaking into Brown and Goodenow’s home on March 25, 2010, with co-conspirator Benjamin French with the intent to steal money and marijuana.
Cedar Village riots
Following the men’s basketball team loss to Duke during the 2013 NCAA tournament, a number of couches and a Christmas tree went up in flames outside Cedar Village Apartments.
One former student was arrested and charged with inciting a riot and standing within 300 feet of a fire.
On Dec. 7, 2013, crowds gathered at Cedar Village to celebrate the football team’s victory in the Big Ten championship game.
Fifteen people were arrested the night of the riot and 12 others were arrested after investigation.
This year, following the men’s basketball Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight celebrations at Cedar Village, 20 people were arrested.
Brandon Carmack
Former student Brandon Carmack was sentenced to two years of probation after he grabbed his ex-girlfriend by the neck and shoulders, yelling at her until others intervened at a party in 2012.
