EAST LANSING, Mich. (WOOD) — The search for a Grand Valley State University student who went missing from the campus of Michigan State University in late October is over.
A body tentatively identified as Brendan Santo was found around 12:30 p.m. Friday in the Red Cedar River near East Lansing.
“We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss. And our thoughts go out to the Santo family and all of those who knew Brendon,” MSU campus police Inspector Chris Rozman said.
The search ended about 1.5 miles from where it began in the Red Cedar River west of MSU campus.
Santo went missing late Oct. 29, 2021. He was visiting friends the weekend of the Michigan-Michigan State football game.
Crews suspected he had somehow ended up in the river, but multiple search efforts by divers from around the state failed to find his body. Investigators had a hunch he might be downstream.
“In that area, there was a significant log jam we’ve talked about for a while because it was really catching everything in that area,” Rozman said. “It was a very complex and dangerous part of the river to search. And it required a lot of resources to do that.”
Those resources included MSU arborists who were able to cut through some of the trees and underbrush.
“MSU Police and Public Safety and our law enforcement partners will continue to investigate the circumstances and details surrounding this incident,” Rozman said. “We still have no reason to believe that foul play is involved or that Brendon intended to harm himself.”
Both MSU and GVSU are offering counseling services to those affected by Santo’s death. The MSU Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling 517.355.8270. The MSU Employee Assistance Program is available by calling 517.355.4506. Grand Valley students can contact the university’s counseling center at 616.331.3266.