Tom and Mary Pat Santulli live with a before-and-after that never leaves the room.

In October 2021, their son Danny joined a fraternity event at the University of Missouri. His parents say older members pressured him to drink dangerous amounts of alcohol. Danny collapsed. He stopped breathing long enough to suffer severe brain damage. Later reports said his blood alcohol level measured far beyond the legal limit.

Today, Danny lives at home. He cannot see. He cannot speak. He uses a wheelchair and needs round-the-clock care. His family says the medical costs have climbed into the millions.

Yet his parents refuse to let the story end in silence. Tom says he wants serious criminal accountability for those involved. He believes meaningful charges send a clearer message than a slap-on-the-wrist penalty. He also says Danny survived for a reason, especially when other hazing stories end in death.

Mary Pat remembers warning signs before that night. She recalls a tired, depleted son. She says she urged him to walk away if it did not feel right. Afterward, she began urging other parents to stay close, ask questions, and research any group their child joins.

The fraternity chapter has since closed. Some members have faced charges and plea agreements. Still, for the Santullis, the larger mission remains simple: protect the next student before “tradition” turns into tragedy again.