Newly published excerpts from Cornell rape case recordings provide more information about the disputed events at a fraternity house in October 2024. Meanwhile, unverified social media posts have attempted to identify the woman who filed the lawsuit as Jane Doe.
No credible news organization or court document has confirmed her identity. She remains identified as Jane Doe in public court records.
Cornell Rape Case Recordings Detail Phone Conversation
ABC News obtained recordings of calls Jane Doe made while trying to reconstruct what happened at Cornell University’s Chi Phi fraternity house. The network aired selected excerpts but has not published the complete recordings.
One call involved former Cornell student Matthew Ingalls, whom Doe named as a defendant. She recorded the conversation shortly before reporting the incident to Cornell police on Nov. 8, 2024.
“The only way for me to heal is to know what happened,” Doe told Ingalls, according to ABC News. She also said she was confused and trying to understand how several people entered the room.
Ingalls reportedly said the bedroom door was unlocked and the house was crowded. During the call, Doe told him that what happened “would be classified as gang rape.”
Ingalls has denied wrongdoing and has not been charged with a crime. Records reviewed by ABC indicate he told Cornell investigators that he was also too intoxicated to consent.
ABC reported that Doe recorded calls with three men and later provided them to Cornell. Other messages reviewed by the network showed fraternity members discussing how to respond after she contacted police.
Jane Doe’s Identity Remains Unconfirmed
Claims that Jane Doe’s identity was officially released are inaccurate. Her name has not appeared in verified court documents or reporting from major news organizations.
An online commentator posted a purported name before deleting it. Reuters could not verify that identification. Doe’s attorney also said multiple women had been incorrectly identified online.
Supporters responded by posting “I am Jane Doe” across social media. The campaign seeks to protect her anonymity and show support for sexual assault survivors.
Publishing an unverified name could expose an uninvolved person to harassment. For that reason, Que Onda is not repeating names circulated through social media.
State Attorney General Takes Over Investigation
Doe filed a civil lawsuit in September 2026 against Cornell, seven former students, Chi Phi and other defendants. She alleges fraternity members drugged and sexually assaulted her during the night of Oct. 19, 2024.
Some defendants have denied participating in an assault. Records from Cornell’s investigation also show disagreements about consent and the extent of each person’s involvement. No criminal charges have been filed.
Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten initially declined to prosecute the case in 2024. He reopened the investigation in September 2026 after speaking with Doe and her attorney.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul later removed the local prosecutor from the investigation. She appointed Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor on Oct. 1. James said her office would follow the facts and the law through a process New Yorkers could trust.
Cornell has said its internal proceedings resulted in expulsions and suspensions. The Chi Phi chapter was also closed and remains barred from campus. Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff has supported an independent review of the university’s response.
Students continued demanding greater accountability Monday, while campus organizations planned a “Justice for Survivors” demonstration. The renewed investigation could determine whether additional evidence supports criminal charges or other action.