’60 Minutes’ episode reports on Sam Martinez’s hazing death

Parents Jolayne Houtz, Hector Martinez hope to save lives by sharing story

COURTESY OF JOLAYNE HOUTZ AND HECTOR MARTINEZ

Sam Martinez died Nov. 12, 2019, after participating in a “Big-Little reveal night” with members of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity.

EMMA LEDBETTER, Evergreen news editor

A “60 Minutes” episode focusing on the hazing death of WSU freshman Sam Martinez will air at 7 p.m. today on CBS. 

Martinez died of acute alcohol intoxication on Nov. 12, 2019, following an Alpha Tau Omega fraternity hazing ritual where his “big brother” supplied him with liquor, according to a Daily Evergreen article

Martinez’s parents, Jolayne Houtz and Hector Martinez, will appear in the episode in an interview with broadcaster Anderson Cooper. Houtz wrote in an email that they hope to save a life by sharing the story of their son. 

Pullman Police Chief Gary Jenkins was also interviewed for the episode, according to a Spokesman-Review article.