Late CSUN student's family holds vigil

NORTHRIDGE, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A vigil was held outside the Cal State Northridge campus Wednesday for a student who collapsed and died a week ago in the Angeles National Forest.

Armando Villa, 19, died while on a hike organized by the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. His family suspects his death was the result of hazing. He was allegedly barefoot, had little water, and was not carrying his cellphone at the time.

The L.A. County Sheriff's Department said Villa was hiking with friends when he ran out of water and passed out along the trail. They suspect he may have died of heat stroke. His exact cause of death remains under investigation.

"We're just here to let CSUN know and the fraternity that we're not gonna end this," Efrain Lopez, Villa's cousin said. "It's gonna go on until someone is held responsible."

CSUN and officials from Pi Kappa Phi have expressed condolences, but have not spoken publicly about Villa's death or the fraternity event he was participating in.

The fraternity has stopped all activities pending the outcome of the investigation.