UCSB rape victim’s parents fear campus cops could fumble probe again after past failure

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.

The suspect remains unidentified days after the assault.

The family is now pressing for the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department to join the investigation, arguing a larger agency with broader experience is needed to track down the attacker.

Their concerns are also rooted in the unresolved death of UCSB freshman Elizabeth “Liz” Hamel, 18, who suffered fatal injuries after falling from a third-floor breezeway at San Rafael Residence Hall on Feb. 14, 2025.

She died about six days later at Cottage Hospital.

Investigators previously determined a young man left a celebration at Lao Wang’s in Isla Vista with Hamel before the fall.

That individual allegedly witnessed her fall but did not call 911, according to family accounts.

Maho, who also represents Hamel’s family, said the new sexual assault case has intensified worries about whether campus police can handle complex, high-stakes investigations alone.

“We are pleading with the chancellor to please request the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department to help with this investigation to apprehend this person,” Maho said in a statement on behalf of the victim’s parents.

“I do believe they truly want to find this person, we’re just asking that they get assistance,” he said. “That is a department that is bigger and more capable and has the experience to do so.”

Claytor, a former Santa Barbara Police Department detective now working for the family as a private investigator, warned the suspect remains at large and poses an ongoing danger to students and residents.

According to Claytor, the attacker is likely to strike again unless quickly apprehended.

The alleged assault occurred around 10 p.m. on May 10, according to a campus alert sent to students.

Authorities said the victim and suspect met earlier that night at a party in Isla Vista and did not know each other beforehand.

Claytor urged anyone with even minor or uncertain information to come forward.

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“Remember it might be enough to say I saw this and they can then put the pieces together themselves they are not going to need to use you to testify,” he said. “Give them what is important and let them do the rest.”

Maho also raised concerns about UC Santa Barbara Chancellor Dennis Assanis, citing prior criticism he faced over his handling of a domestic and sexual violence matter during his previous tenure as president of the University of Delaware.

According to Maho, Assanis has refused to speak with him about the current case.

In a statement provided to The Post, the UCSB Police Department said federal law and university policy prevent officials from discussing specific case details publicly, but emphasized that the investigation remains active.

The department said it has robust resources to support survivors and noted that all crimes on campus property are investigated by sworn UCPD officers.

It added that UCPD is a POST-certified and accredited law enforcement agency, including recognition by the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators.

UCPD said it works closely with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office when appropriate.

Officials also said a timely warning was issued to the campus community on Sunday.

The department said investigators have been in direct contact with the survivor’s family since the early stages of the case and that it has also responded multiple times to an attorney representing the family.

UCPD said it is actively seeking information about anyone involved and is encouraging witnesses to come forward. Tips can be submitted to the UCSB Police Department or anonymously at 805-893-7274.

The California Post has reached out to UC Santa Barbara Police, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department and Chancellor Assanis for comment.