UCSB rape victim’s parents push for more resources after past failure
The parents of a UCSB student allegedly raped near campus are urging outside law enforcement to assist in the investigation, fearing campus police may mishandle the case. Their concerns stem from a prior incident involving the unresolved death of another student, Elizabeth 'Liz' Hamel, in 2025. The family has hired legal and investigative representation and is calling for the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department to take a larger role in the probe.
- ▪The UCSB student was allegedly raped and strangled near campus on May 10, 2026, and the suspect remains unidentified.
- ▪The victim's family has retained attorney Tyrone Maho and private investigator Michael Claytor, citing concerns over campus police capabilities.
- ▪Elizabeth 'Liz' Hamel, an 18-year-old UCSB freshman, died in February 2025 after falling from a residence hall, and the case remains unresolved.
- ▪Maho also represents Hamel’s family and has raised concerns about Chancellor Dennis Assanis’s past handling of sexual violence matters.
- ▪Claytor warns the attacker poses an ongoing threat and could strike again if not apprehended quickly.
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Metro UCSB rape victim’s parents fear campus cops could fumble probe again after past failure By David Thompson and Daniel Farr Published May 16, 2026, 12:10 p.m. ET The parents of a University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) student who was allegedly raped and strangled near campus are demanding that outside law enforcement be brought into the investigation, saying they fear campus police could mishandle the case just as they believe happened following another student’s death last year. The California Post has learned the victim’s family has retained attorney Tyrone Maho and private investigator Michael Claytor amid concerns that the UCSB Police Department may not have the resources needed to fully investigate the still-unsolved attack.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at California Post.
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