I only just got into the L&O's a few years ago. I was channel hopping + stopped on what looked like something I'd like to see. It was a story about a fraternity (not the ep Brotherhood) + how pledges were taken to this secret room in the basement for their initiation (torture practices). A body was found in the wall wrapped in plastic + tape. The members finally said that when the pledge died, they sealed him up in the wall. The final scene had a very surprise ending in that when authorities unwrapped the body, the corpse looked like he was gasping for air (mouth open, panicked look on face). Turns out he was still alive when they buried him!

I'm pretty sure this was a SVU but it might have been a regular L&O, not sure. I've looked thru all the titles hoping one might give me a clue as to which ep it is but no luck. Does anyone remember this episode on either series? This was the ep that turned me on to the shows + I'd love to know which one it is. I've been watching them ever since (on NBC, TNT + USA) + have never seen this particular show again which in itself seems odd. If anyone knows what episode + which series, I'd be ever so grateful!

I think the show you are asking about was an SVU ep called "Brotherhood", and it was on this weekend on USA. Gary Cole was a guest star.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0629619/