The Maricopa County Attorney is pledging to closely follow an investigation into a military-style workout that left an Arizona State University hockey player on life support — but won't take over the case.
Rachel Mitchell told the lawyer representing Matthew Mayich's family that attorneys in her office have closely communicated with ASU police on its investigation since Day One and she is committed to a review at the "highest level."
"The understanding that you have is the same that I have: that at the conclusion of the investigation theywill submit the case to us for review," she said in a Sept. 25 to Phoenix lawyer Robert Carey.
But Mitchell stopped far short of agreeing to take over the case and launch a separate criminal investigation, which
the Mayich family and others are seeking.
"While I cannot say that I will open an entirely new investigation," Mitchell said, "what I can tell you is thatwe will make sure that we are satisfied that all appropriate investigative steps have been taken, and all evidence gathered."
Mayich’s family seeks an outside investigation
Mayich’s family said the university cannot conduct an impartial investigation and has asked school officials to turn the case over to the Phoenix Police Department, the Arizona Attorney General’s Office or state police, Carey said.
Carey said the Mayich family turned to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office after not getting a response from the university.
Mayich, 21, collapsed during an Aug. 20 military-sstyle workout led by an ex-Green Beret who was invited by the head hockey coach to train the team. He remains incapacitated at Barrow Neurological Institute with zero chance of recovery.
The ASU Police Department began investigating the circumstances of Mayich's collapse after getting the 911 call about a heat-related incident. Administrators also promised a separate review of everything surrounding the workout.
In a six-page letter to Mitchell Sept. 24, Carey questioned if the ASU Police Department could remain impartial as it "answers to the administration."
He also accused the university of trying to "whitewash" the circumstances of the near-fatal workout and of repeated policy violations by the coaching staff before, during and after Mayich collapsed.
"ASUPD is a department of the University. It is overseen by the same administration whose athletic department, coaches, staff, and outside instructor are the subjects of the inquiry," he said in a Sept. 4 letter to the university.
Players accuse ASU of hiding truth, seek independent investigation
Seven ASU hockey players also have asked the university to open an independent investigation.
The players in a Sept. 28 letter accused the university of hiding details surrounding the workout and the response to Mayich's collapse.
The players, who were on the field when Mayich collapsed, say the account provided by coaches, staff and administrators does not reflect “the cruelty and incompetency” of what happened.
In a 26-page letter sent Sept. 28 to university President Michael Crow, the players called for hockey coaches and staff to be placed on administrative leave and for outside investigators to conduct an independent review.
Phoenix attorney Timothy Casey said the seven players fear retaliation and need to remain anonymous. All signed legal attestations declaring they are team members and were at the workout when Mayich collapsed, he said.
Casey said the players' letter was separate from the Mayich family's request, but they shared a lot of the same concerns.
University officials did not address the letter or the players’ allegations in response to requests for comment.
The players in the letter dispute virtually every aspect of the university’s preliminary account, which was released publicly Sept. 22. It leveled no blame for what happened during the workout led by an ex-Green Beret on the first day of class.
ASU Senior Vice President James Rund avoided identifying specific policy violations in the initial report. His investigative summary and four-page timeline do not identify anyone responsible for failures or outline accountability measures.
Contract rules and heat-illness policies appear violated
An ongoing investigation by The Arizona Republic has found multiple potential policy violations connected to the workout and Mayich's collapse.
The Republic found the volunteer trainer did not go through the required vetting process or sign standard forms before starting drills. Ex-Green Beret Tim Ziesel was allowed to lead the workout based on a handshake agreement with Powers and other staff members, Ziesel's attorney said.
The Republic also found ASU did not appear to follow its own rules designed to protect students from exertional heat illness before, during and after the workout.
Emergency guidelines for treating heat illness call for immediate immersion in ice water, but the university found Mayich was left lying on the ground as staff draped him in wet towels. They moved him into the shade after calling 911.
Mayich did not go through the standard heat acclimation period for athletes. ASU's heat-illness policy says athletes should adjust to the heat gradually in workouts from seven to 14 days, with each exposure increasing in intensity and duration.
Rund's report indicates Mayich was in Arizona eight days before the workout. But his report shows he had only taken part in three days of workouts prior to his collapse. Of those, 15 minutes a day were outside, a combined total of 45 minutes.
Lawmakers join calls for an indpenednt review
Hours after the players' letter was made public, the chairs of Arizona’s House and Senate education committees called on the Arizona Board of Regents to appoint an independent investigator to examine the near-fatal workout.
Rep. Matt Gress, R-Phoenix, and Sen. Hildy Angius, R-Bullhead City, said the players' letter marked a turning point for the lawmakers.
They asked the Arizona Board of Regents for answers on who approved the workout and use of an outside consultant. They questioned if ASU could adequately investigate its own staff.
Megan Gilbertson, associate vice president of public affairs for the Board of Regents, said in August the Board is being informed as ASU's review moves forward, but declined to comment further on the possibility of an outside investigation into the Mayich's collapse.
"Our hearts are with the student, his family, teammates, and the entire ASU community as they navigate this incredibly difficult time," Gilbertson told The Republic.
County Attorney says multiple investigations are 'not wise.'
Mayich, a sophomore from Stoney Creek, Ontario, was in his first year at ASU. He was part of a 2026 transfer portal class that ranked first in the country. He appeared in 34 games, tallying seven goals and eight assists, in his freshman season at Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York.
He was drafted by the St. Louis Blues of the NHL in 2023. Drafted players retain their college status while NHL teams hold their exclusive signing rights.
Supporters have held a daily vigil online since shortly after his collapse, praying the rosary for him each morning. Family members attending the daily prayer services include his younger sister, Stephanie Mayich, and cousin Victoria Beara.
Mitchell in her response to Carey said it was not wise to start a seaparate investigation. She said she would convey his letter to ASU police investigators to ensure his concerns were addressed.
"It is my hope — and frankly, request — that you encourage cooperation with the investigation, knowing that information and evidence gathered will be turned over to my office for review," she said.
Robert Anglen is an investigative reporter for The Republic. Reach him at robert.anglen@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X @robertanglen.
Rey Covarrubias Jr. is a reporter for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Email him at: rcovarrubias@azcentral.com, and connect with him on Instagram, Threads, Bluesky and X at @ReyCJrAZ.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Maricopa County attorney won't investigate ASU hockey player collapse
