Family challenges UCSB police ruling on student’s fatal balcony fall

After about 10 months UC Santa Barbara Student Elizabeth “Liz” Hamel suffered a fatal fall from a campus residence hall balcony, and police say the case has been closed as an accident. But her family says the explanation doesn’t make sense, and the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office now confirms the case remains “under review.”

The University of California, Santa Barbara Police Department (UCPD) told Fox News Digital in a new statement that after conducting a months-long investigation, the department concluded Hamel is dead As a result of an accidental fall.

“After a thorough investigation into the tragic death of one of our students outside a residence hall in February 2025, UCPD has referred its findings to the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office for review,” the department said.

UCPD said it worked closely with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office and the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office during the case.

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Liz Hamel, 18, was found unconscious outside a dormitory on the UC Santa Barbara campus on February 14 after apparently falling from a breezeway. (Alan Hamel)

“Based on the entirety of the comprehensive investigation, which entailed a systematic review and accounting of all available information and numerous interviews, including the person of interest identified during the investigation, the department has concluded that the accident was an accidental fall,” the statement continued.

The ministry said it met regularly with Hamel’s immediate family and offered its condolences.

“Our thoughts and thoughts are with the family and friends who have suffered a tremendous loss. Out of respect for the family’s privacy, we do not have any additional information to share.”

The Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office separately told Fox News Digital that the case remains “under review.” The office did not provide a timeline for when there might be an update on the status of the case.

Hamel, an 18-year-old biology and chemistry student Bellevue, Washington, It was discovered at approximately 10:26 p.m. on February 14, 2025, down a third-floor hallway in a San Rafael residence hall at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She died six days later at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.

Hamel’s family, through their attorney, provided a statement to Fox News Digital expressing disagreement with the police’s conclusions and concern about the unanswered questions.

“We are aware of UCSB’s conclusion, but we still have unanswered questions about how Liz died. We will continue to work with our attorneys and the appropriate authorities to ensure all available evidence is carefully reviewed.”

“On the human side, my wife and I are devastated. Liz was our only child and we are still trying to understand how to go on without her.”

— Statement from Alan Hamel, via family lawyer Tyrone Maheu

Family attorney Tyrone Maheu and private investigator Michael Claytor told Fox News Digital they disagree with the police department’s conclusion and believe the evidence does not support closing the case.

They said there was still important information missing and pointed to what they considered to be inconsistencies in the investigative record that had “yet to be addressed.”

They also raised concerns about UCPD’s handling of the investigation, saying there may be a “potential conflict of interest” in the university police department investigating the death of one of its students.

They added: “Our investigations are continuing.”

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The family of Elizabeth “Liz” Hamel is challenging UCSF police’s conclusion that the student’s fatal fall was an accident, citing unanswered questions about the investigation. (Alan Hamel)

According to svgateHamel and Maho’s father held a press conference in June at the place where she was found, demanding information, especially about the unidentified man who was last seen with her on the night of her death.

At the press conference, Maho told reporters that Hamel spent nearly two hours at Lao Wang Noodle Bar On Isla Vista With the man she seemed “very close to” inside the restaurant. She apparently left her phone and ID behind, which were later recovered by her friends.

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Liz Hamel died earlier this year after falling from a student residence at UC Santa Barbara. (Alan Hamel)

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The pair did not walk toward San Miguel, Hamel’s freshman dorm, but instead headed toward San Rafael, another residence hall on campus, SFGATE reported. “She lived on the other side of campus,” Alan Hamel said, noting that the residence where his daughter was discovered was not on the path from the restaurant to her private residence hall.

“One does not come across this residence. It is not the first place one goes,” Maho said, adding that they believe the man may have known someone there or may have been staying in the building.

At 10:26 p.m., a passerby, not the man who left the restaurant with her, found Hamel seriously injured under a third-floor hallway outside a San Rafael residence hall. She was still alive when first responders arrived and died six days later in hospital.

Hamel moved to California in 2024 to pursue studies in biology and chemistry, hoping to become a scientist. She was also a member of the California Zeta chapter of Pi Beta Phi, which publicly mourned her death in March.

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A Washington state father is pressing for answers about the investigation into his 18-year-old daughter’s death at UC Santa Barbara earlier this year. (Marlie Miller/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

“With heavy hearts, we share the passing of our beloved sister in California, Zita Liz Hamel,” the chapter wrote. “Sending love and support to Pi Phi to her family, loved ones and our sisters in Pi Beta Phi UCSB during this time.”

“Liz Hamel was a beloved and cherished member of Pi Beta Phi. She will be remembered for the kindness and joy she brought to others.”

Her father expressed the family’s grief in his previous interview with Fox News.

“She was our world. She’s our only child. She was our everything. … We were so lucky to have had 18 years with her. We wish we had more time.”

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As prosecutors continue their review and the family presses for answers, the events that led to Hamel’s fatal fall remain unclear.

Fox News Digital’s Bree Stimson contributed to this report.

Stephenie Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and immigrant crimes. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.