On May 9, 2025, David Bianchi appeared on Crime Stories with Nancy Grace to discuss a criminal hazing case involving the Westhill High School lacrosse team in Syracuse, New York. The segment focused on a disturbing incident in which five underclassmen were lured into what they thought was a bonding event with older teammates—only to be subjected to a staged kidnapping.
According to reports discussed on the show, the younger players were invited to a lacrosse game and dinner. On the way home, the driver intentionally pulled over in a remote area. Masked individuals—armed with at least one knife and believed to be carrying a gun—emerged from the woods. One student had his hands tied and a pillowcase placed over his head before being forced into the trunk of a car. He was later abandoned in another secluded location. The entire incident was recorded on video and shared among students, sparking widespread outrage and a criminal investigation.
Nancy Grace referred to the hazing as a “felony” and introduced Bianchi as “America’s leading hazing lawyer,” highlighting his national reputation for representing hazing victims and their families. During the episode, Bianchi described the situation as “rehearsed” and emphasized that despite anti-hazing laws and policies in place at schools and fraternities across the country, these incidents continue to happen. He cited previous cases—including the death of Cornell student Antonio Tsialas and the life-altering injuries of Danny Santulli at the University of Missouri—to illustrate how rarely criminal charges are filed, even when victims suffer catastrophic harm or death.
The episode also revealed that 11 students involved in the Westhill case turned themselves in after the district attorney issued a 48-hour ultimatum. They were charged with unlawful imprisonment, a Class A misdemeanor. No participants were jailed. The school district later announced the cancellation of the lacrosse team’s season due to the incident and the surrounding media attention.
Crime Stories with Nancy Grace is known for covering major criminal cases and spotlighting voices fighting for justice. The episode aired on SiriusXM Channel 111 and Merit Street Media, and is now available on podcast platforms including iHeart and Player FM.
At Stewart Tilghman Fox Bianchi & Cain, P.A., we remain committed to holding institutions and individuals accountable for the devastating effects of hazing. David’s appearance on Crime Stories underscores our ongoing efforts to seek justice and push for meaningful change.