January 25, 2022:
A public visitation will be held for Brendan Santo on January 27, 2022 at St. Andrew Catholic Church, 1400 Inglewood Avenue, in Rochester, Michigan. It is scheduled to run from 2:00pm to 8:00pm. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made in Brendan’s name to local animal shelters or first responders.
A private funeral and burial will take place with the family at a later date.
January 22, 2022:
The body of 18-year-old Brendan Santo has been recovered from the Red Cedar River in East Lansing, Michigan. The recovery occurred on January 21, 2022, nearly three months after he went missing from Michigan State University’s campus on the night of October 29, 2021.
The discovery of Brendan’s body came after private investigator Ryan Robison detected something unusual on his underwater camera. According to a statement from MSU police, he’d seen “something completely submerged in the water at the logjam”. After contacting Brendan’s parents, Robison called the authorities in Ingham and Oakland counties, and within the hour the area had been closed off and drive teams were being assembled.
A search of the area, near the intersection of Kalamazoo and Clippert streets, occurred at first light, and at 12:30pm a body was discovered amongst the branches and river debris. It was sent to the medical examiner, where dental records led to it being identified as Brendan.
Speaking about the discovery, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said in a statement:
“Our search and rescue team joined with other agencies in a coordinated effort to help bring closure to a grieving family.
“Our team which totaled 10 deputies, spent 11 days and more than 800 hours – with some team members working 14 hours a day – in the effort to find this young man. Our deepest sympathies are with the family and his friends. We know that there is a void they will never fill from this tragedy but sincerely hope this brings them a sliver of peace.”
At present, foul play is not suspected in Brendan’s death, nor is there any indication he wished to harm himself. The investigation is ongoing.
Stories of the Unsolved will update this post if more details emerge.
Image Credit: FOX 2 Detroit
Stories of the Unsolved 