Penn State police at University Park on Oct. 9 announced that their investigation into an alleged rape near McCoy Natatorium on campus has been concluded. The extensive police investigation uncovered no evidence corroborating the account of the alleged victim. Moreover, the woman, with the concurrence of her parents, has requested that the investigation be terminated.
In the incident, reported last week, the alleged victim claimed that while walking along the sidewalk on Bigler Road, she bent down to pet a kitten and then fell over, knocking herself unconscious. She alleged that when she came to she was being assaulted. The police investigation revealed no aspects of the alleged victim's account that could be substantiated.
The incident caused widespread concern on campus, in part because it was reported at the same time as two acquaintance rapes. In one of the reported acquaintance rapes, the woman has asked police not to pursue the investigation. The police have concluded that there is no basis for pursuing the case further. The other incident is still being investigated.
There has not been a confirmed "stranger" rape reported to the police on the University Park campus in more than five years.