Tucker's Story

Tucker was pledging the Beta Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon known as SigEp at Clemson University when he died.  Three brothers and 27 pledges including Tucker went on an early morning run across the Highway 93 Bridge at 5:30 am on September 22, 2014.

Tucker was discovered missing before 7 am when he did not report to the fraternity breakfast and his phone and keys were found where the brothers instructed the pledges to leave them before the run.

The pledges started looking for Tucker around 7 am but did not report him missing.   A call was made to campus police by one of the brothers at approximately 1:45 PM asking for information concerning Tucker but did not want to file a missing person’s report.

Tucker was found floating in Lake Hartwell just under the bridge at approximately 3:30 PM after one of the brothers led campus police to his whereabouts.  It was noted earlier by the brothers to police Tucker was wearing blue tennis shoes. Discovery of his body in the lake yielded blue tennis shoes showing out of the water with much of the remainder of his body submerged.

Witness testimony revealed Tucker, as the pledge class President, 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 brought, and it is believed Tucker was forced to walk the railing of the bridge as a punishment and then fell to his death. The run was an event that would have been considered “hazing” under the policies of the national Sig Ep organization as well as under the rules of Clemson University.

No one has ever come forward to say what really happened to Tucker but eyewitness account puts a boy on the bridge railing while 4-6 others are running beside him yelling military type commands.  No one has ever been arrested or charged in the death of Tucker Hipps.

The case remains open.

Fun Facts:  Tucker was born on a Monday and died on a Monday.  He was an only child and a mama’s boy one day and a daddy’s boy another.

Tucker had a passion for helping others who were less fortunate and would give his own money to those in need. He was a senior counselor of Palmetto Boys State where a scholarship has been established in his name.

Tucker loved everyone, and everyone reported he, was their best friend.  Tucker made funny faces captured by many who continue to share his photos.

He loved taking pictures with his girlfriend Katie and his parents feel fortunate to have so many. He was athletic and played soccer, baseball, football, and basketball.  Most importantly, Tucker was a Christian and shared his faith with many.