Memphis rape case leads police to Cape

Members of a fraternity at Southeast Missouri State University are being questioned in an alleged rape at a hotel.

Two Memphis, Tenn., police investigators were in Cape Girardeau Friday asking questions about an alleged rape at a Memphis hotel last April, an inquiry in which members of a Southeast Missouri State University fraternity are being questioned.

The Department of Public Safety at Southeast conducted the initial investigation. Doug Richards, director of the Southeast DPS, said all of the approximately 10 young men interviewed during the investigation were members of the Delta Chi fraternity's chapter at Southeast.

He said the group traveled to Memphis together in April "for some kind of social function." Police would not say if the alleged victim traveled to Memphis with the fraternity group.

The college-age woman is not a student at Southeast but did know at least one member of the fraternity, law enforcement officials said.

Richards said the alleged victim went to the Cape Girardeau police immediately after returning from Memphis.

The Cape Girardeau police called in the DPS because university students may be involved.

Richards said the DPS turned its findings over to the Memphis police 10 days ago. The Memphis sex-crimes investigator and criminologist were in Cape Girardeau on Friday conducting more interviews and collecting evidence.

The investigation reportedly is not close to wrapping up.