Matt Araiza's gang rape accuser reveals 'her piercings were ripped out and horror abuse left her neck and arms bruised'
Christopher Harper
Published Sep 17, 2026
HORRIFIC details are coming to light in the case of football star Matt Araiza, who was accused of gang-raping a 17-year-old girl in an attack that ripped out her piercings and left her bleeding, according to a lawsuit.
The suit filed on Thursday accuses former Bills rookie Araiza and two other current and former San Diego State Aztecs football players of sexually assaulting a female teen last October.
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The suit follows the tragic night of a high school girl who was allegedly sexually assaulted by Araiza and two other players, Nowlin Ewaliko and Zavier Leonard, at a party.
The alleged victim's ear, nose, and belly button piercings were ripped out during the act of sexual violence that lasted around an hour and a half, the suit claims.
Araiza's family has come to his defense in a statement responding to the shocking claims.
"There has been war waged on our son," Mr and Mrs Araiza said.
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"He has been tried and convicted in the media based on information released solely from the alleged victim and her attorney, much of it through social media.
"People have taken this information as factual, when it is not."
A lawyer representing Araiza told the Los Angeles Times on Thursday that he had not yet reviewed the complaint against their client but said the allegations were false.
“It’s a shakedown because he’s now with the Buffalo Bills. There is no doubt in my mind," attorney Kerry Armstrong told the outlet.
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However, the Bills announced that they officially released the player nicknamed "Punt God" on Saturday.
"We tried to be thorough and thoughtful and not rush to judgment, and I would say it's not easy," said Bills General Manager Brandon Beane, according to The Washington Post.
"You're trying to put facts around a legal situation sometimes with limited information."
Beane said that they were unaware of the allegations when they selected the 22-year-old player in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Araiza’s attorney said this week that he believes his client will be exonerated and still have a career in football, San Diego's NBC affiliate reported.
'HORRIFIC EVENT'
The alleged incident occurred at an off-campus party on the evening of October 16, 2021, and carried over into the following morning.
The victim, now 18 and identified as Jane Doe in the suit, claims that she and her friends were out drinking and attending Halloween parties in the San Diego area on October 16.
The group of friends eventually found the address to a nearby party on Snapchat and decided to go, where they were allegedly greeted at the door by Araiza, the suit claims.
A heavily intoxicated Doe said that as the night went on, she was separated from her friends and claims to have been approached by the Bills rookie, who allegedly handed her an alcoholic beverage containing "intoxicating substances".
Araiza, who was 21 at the time, allegedly led the victim into a bedroom in the house where at least "three other men, including defendant Ewaliko and Leonard," were waiting.
Araiza, Ewaliko, and Leonard are accused of repeatedly taking turns raping the then-high school senior for an hour and a half, the suit alleges.
On October 18, Doe went to San Diego police to report the gang rape and was taken to the hospital to undergo tests to determine whether she had been sexually assaulted.
The victim and detectives also arranged a recorded "pretext" call with Leonard and Ewaliko.
VICTIM'S ATTORNEY RIPS PROLONGED INVESTIGATION
The attorneys for Ewaliko and Leonard both reiterated to the LA Times that the criminal investigation is ongoing.
Ewaliko is reportedly no longer at San Diego State, while Leonard was listed as a redshirt freshman, according to the outlet.
The San Diego Police Department has not yet publicly identified any suspects, nor have they made any arrests.
An investigation has been conducted to determine whether charges should be filed.
The teen's lawyer, Dan Gilleon, shared a statement with The U.S. Sun, saying this was a "horrific crime, the kind of which happens all too often.
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"What makes these crimes different is not only that they were committed by self-entitled athletes.
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"Just as awful as the crimes, for months, multiple organizations--SDSU, the San Diego Police Department, the San Diego District Attorney, and now the Buffalo Bills--have acted the part of enablers looking the other way in denial that my client deserves justice even if the defendants are prized athletes."
