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The family of Caleb Wilson and the Omega Psi Phi fraternity's international leader expressed thanks Friday to law enforcement for the continued probe of the Southern University student's death this week.

In a statement released by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office on behalf of the family of Wilson, 20, a former junior studying engineering, the family said, "we are committed to seeking the truth about the circumstances surrounding Caleb's passing and ensuring that no other family has to endure such a tragedy."

A day after the Southern University Human Jukebox trumpet player was found unresponsive in a Baton Rouge park, the Omega Psi international president issued a statement saying members support Baton Rouge authorities in the police investigation of the death. 

Wilson, a Kenner native, died Thursday morning at a Baton Rouge hospital, after he was found in North Sherwood Forest Park.

The full autopsy report for Wilson is not yet complete, Baton Rouge Coroner's Office chief of investigations Shane Tindall said Friday. The cause and manner of Wilson's death are undetermined, Tindall said, pending additional tests.

Southern University halted all club recruiting activities at the Baton Rouge campus late Thursday, including those related to Greek life. The indefinite suspension was due to Wilson's death, a university spokesman said.

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity International declined comment Friday if Wilson was a member when The Advocate asked to confirm his affiliation.

In its statement, the Wilson family said: "As we navigate this painful journey, we ask for your continued prayers and respect for our privacy.

"We find comfort in knowing that Caleb's spirit lives on in the memories we cherish and the love we hold for him."

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity International President Ricky L. Lewis said Friday its members are mourning Wilson's loss.

"Caleb was more than a beloved son, grandson, brother, nephew and cousin — He was a scholar, an exceptional member of the Southern University Marching Band, and a passionate and dedicated leader in student life," Lewis said in a statement.

His full statement is:

"It is with profound sorrow that we extend our condolences on the passing of Caleb Wilson. His loss is deeply felt, and our hearts go out to his family, friends, and all who were touched by him.

Caleb was more than a beloved son, grandson, brother, nephew and cousin — He was a scholar, an exceptional member of the Southern University Marching Band, and a passionate and dedicated leader in student life.

We have been informed that the local authorities have launched an investigation into this tragic incident, and we fully support their efforts to seek the truth. Currently, our foremost priority is standing in unwavering support of Caleb’s family. We have extended ourselves to them and are ready to assist in any way possible during this difficult time.

We recognize that many of you may have questions, and we are actively working to gather accurate information. In the meantime, we ask for your patience, your prayers, and solidarity as we honor Caleb’s memory and support those grieving his loss."

Southern, LSU have checkered histories on hazing

While there's no official confirmation on Wilson's cause of death or if it was related to a fraternity ritual or hazing, Southern and LSU have had many high-profile hazing cases going back decades.

Among those that generated the most attention at Southern was a 2008 incident involving Southern's marching band initiating French horn members. Band members were struck by 2-by-4-inch boards during an off-campus initiation, which led to two being hospitalized. Southern faced years of lawsuits over the event, and eventually reached a 2015 settlement with the former band members. 

Omega Psi Phi also was kicked off Southern's Baton Rouge campus in 2005, archives from The Advocate | The Times-Picayune show. The university ordered a three-year expulsion after university officials found "overwhelming evidence" a fraternity pledge was severely beaten, with injuries that led to internal bleeding.

More recently, Omega Psi Phi was  in 2016 after university officials found them responsible for complicity, endangerment and hazing violations of the Student Code of Conduct. LSU found the fraternity "engaged in hazing activities." They included sleep deprivation, personal servitude, 5 a.m. workouts, skipping class and more.

They have since returned to LSU's campus.

Decades ago, Omega Psi Phi was in the spotlight for a 1995 hazing incident at Nicholls State University where pledges were hospitalized with kidney failure after being beaten with paddles. In 1996, three Omega Psi Phi members were also arrested after allegedly hitting members with 2-by-4s at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. 

But Omega Psi Phi is far from the only fraternity that has a history of hazing concerns in Louisiana. 

The Louisiana Legislature sought to tighten laws around hazing after the 2017 death of Max Gruver a former LSU student who belonged to Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Gruver was forced to drink excessively during a fraternity ritual called "Bible Study."

His death sparked changes in state law that elevated criminal hazing to a felony, prompted LSU and the national fraternity to reach legal settlements with the Gruver family and led to the negligent homicide conviction of one of his Phi Delta fraternity brothers.