Story of Tucker Hipps
On Monday, September 22, 2014, Tucker Hipps was reported missing.
On September 22, 2014, three brothers and 27 pledges, including Tucker, went for an early morning run across the Highway 93 Bridge at 5:30 a.m.
Tucker went missing before 7 a.m. after failing to show up for the fraternity breakfast, and his phone and keys were discovered where the brothers instructed the pledges to leave them before the run.
Around 7 a.m., the pledges began looking for Tucker but did not report him missing. One of the brothers called campus police around 1:45 p.m., asking for information about Tucker but declining to file a missing person’s report.
Tucker was discovered floating in Lake Hartwell near the bridge at around 3:30 p.m. after one of the brothers led campus police to his location. Tucker was wearing blue tennis shoes, which the brothers had previously reported to police. The discovery of his body in the lake revealed blue tennis shoes poking out of the water, with much of his body submerged.
According to witness testimony, Tucker was instructed to bring 30 biscuits, 2 gallons of chocolate milk, and 30 hash browns to the run, which was delegated to another pledge.
The biscuits were not delivered, and it is believed Tucker was forced to walk the bridge railing as punishment before falling to his death. The run would have been considered “hazing” under the policies of the national Sig Ep organisation as well as Clemson University’s rules.
Nobody has ever come forward to say what happened to Tucker, but eyewitness accounts show a boy on the bridge railing while 4-6 others run alongside him yelling military commands. No one has ever been arrested or charged in Tucker Hipps’ death.
The case remains unsolved
Fun Facts
Tucker was born on Monday and passed away on Monday. He was an only child who could be a mama’s boy one day and a daddy’s boy the next.
Tucker had a strong desire to assist those in need and would donate his own money to those in need. He was a senior counsellor at Palmetto Boys State, where a scholarship in his honor has been established.
Tucker loved everyone, and they all said he was their best friend. Tucker’s amusing expressions were captured by many who continue to share his photos.
He enjoyed taking photos with his girlfriend Katie, and his parents consider themselves fortunate to have so many. He was a talented athlete who excelled at soccer, baseball, football, and basketball. Most importantly, Tucker was a devout Christian who freely shared his faith with others.
Any Information
If you have any information about this case, please contact Investigator Jimmy Dixon at the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office at 864-638-4111. You can leave an anonymous tip by downloading the P3 app for iOS or Android, calling Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC (1-888-724-6372), or visiting this website and clicking on “Submit a Tip” (www.oconeesccrimestoppers.com). All information received will be kept strictly confidential, and you will not be required to provide your name.
A $50,000 CASH reward is available, thanks to a private donation.