UM Curators hire independent firm in Sasha Menu Courey case

University of Missouri leaders have chosen a firm to review how school officials handled rape claims by a former student. Sasha Menu Courey said she was raped by a football player before taking her own life in 2011.

On Friday the UM Board of Curators announced the Dowd Bennett Law Firm from St. Louis will investigate the university response. They plan to present their findings by April 11. Columbia police also opened a new investigation after more details emerged in late January.

Members from the independent group include Edward Dowd, Lisa Hoppenjans, Gabriel Gore, Jim Martin and Becky Powers. Two of them served as U.S. attorneys, and three were Assistant U.S. Attorneys. No one has ever attended MU or worked for the university.

Anyone with information can call them directly at (314) 889-7300, or anyone who wishes to remain anonymous can use a confidential third-party service at (855) 208-3252 or online at www.independentcounsel.ethicspoint.com.