Body found in search for missing college student Brendan Santo – Everett Post

(NEW YORK) – After a search of more than 80 days, authorities have recovered a body believed to be that of missing Grand Valley State University student Brendan Santo.

The body was recovered at 12:30 p.m. Friday from the Red Cedar River, approximately 1 1/2 miles downstream from where Santo was last seen. Identification is pending, according to Michigan State University police.

The 18-year-old college student disappeared on Oct. 29, 2021 while visiting friends in East Lansing, Michigan, over the weekend of the Michigan-Michigan State football game. Since then, multiple authorities, along with family members and a growing number of civilian volunteers, have been searching for the teen, with the reward growing to over $30,000.

“Thank you for all your support and kindness in bringing Brendan home. This is not the outcome we were hoping for but we now have a closure,” Brendan’s family wrote online.

“We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss and our thoughts and prayers go out to the Santo family and everyone who knew Brendan,” Michigan State University Police Department spokesman Chris Rozman said in a statement.

Authorities will continue to investigate the circumstances and details of this incident, Rozman told reporters at a news conference.

“We still have no reason to believe there was foul play involved or that Brendon intended to harm himself,” he said.

A significant log jam in the area made the river portion an interesting point. According to Rozman, the area was very complex and dangerous to search and required a lot of resources.

Divers came from across the state of Michigan to help. The operation required teams to clear brush and trees to create a point where a boat could be placed in the river and gain access to the area of ​​the log jam they wanted to focus on.

None of Brendan’s personal belongings had been found prior to Friday, according to Michigan State University police.

“We’ve been committed to solving this case from the beginning, and I’m glad we were able to at least bring a solution to Brendan’s family and loved ones today,” Rozman said.

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