FBI joins search for teen who went missing at MSU; family offering $5,000 reward

EAST LANSING, Mich. (WWJ) -- As the search for a metro Detroit teenager who went missing on the campus of Michigan State University enters a second week, his family is offering a $5,000 reward for tips that help bring him home.

The family of 18-year-old Rochester Hills native Brendan Santo says they’re working with Crime Stoppers of mid-Michigan to anyone who can provide credible information that leads to his safe return.

Tips can be submitted through the existing MSU Police and Public Safety toll-free tip line at 844-99-MSUPD, or through Crime Stoppers of Mid-Michigan at 517-483-STOP.

Santo was last seen Friday night, Oct. 29 after leaving Yakeley hall, just before midnight. The Grand Valley State University student was visiting friends on campus for the weekend.

Grand Valley Student and Oakland County native Brendan Santo, who was last seen on Michigan State University's campus...

Posted by Oakland County Sheriff's Office on Saturday, November 6, 2021

Police have said foul play is not suspected in the teen’s disappearance and they have no evidence to suggest he was impaired at the time he went missing.

Efforts to find Santo have included searches by foot, drone, helicopter and boat, with authorities utilizing canine units, divers in the Red Cedar River and civilian volunteers.

Police located Santo’s truck on campus, which has not moved since he went missing.

The FBI has now gotten involved with the search for Santo, joining other agencies, including the East Lansing Police Department, MSU Police and Public Safety, Grand Valley State University Police Department, Ingham County Sheriff’s Office, Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan State Police and Michigan Department of Attorney General.

Inspector Chris Rozman, with MSU Police and Public Safety, says using these additional resources will “ensure that all investigative avenues are being explored.”

“We have been collaborating with our local, state, and federal partners for several days, and this arrangement formalizes and expands our team while making additional expert resources and personnel available to assist us in bringing Brendan home,” Rozman said. “We particularly appreciate the continued help and support offered by Grand Valley State University and Oakland County, who have been providing investigators with direct contact to those close with Brendan.”