First responders have begun the search for Brendan Santo, who was visiting Michigan State and last seen leaving Yakeley Hall on Oct. 29. MSU Police and the Ingham County Sheriff's Department have joined forces, conducting searches on foot and by helicopter, drone and boat. Nov. 1, 2021.
Michigan State University Police and Public Safety announced Jan. 21, 2022, that a body believed to be Brendan Santo was located in the Red Cedar River, bringing a months-long search for the missing Grand Valley State University student close to a close.
Santo was last seen Oct. 29, 2021, leaving Yakeley Hall.
After civilian search efforts, fliers and a large social media campaign to "Bring Brendan Home," the MSU community became deeply involved in the case. Now, after the discovery of the body, many students are devastated.
“I’m honestly just shocked, I feel sick to my stomach," psychology sophomore Emma Craft said. "It's a twisted comfort. We know what happened now, but I can’t believe it.”
Craft is not the only student who feels some sense of closure after the 80 days since Santo was last seen. Zoology sophomore Joey Rosasco said that in a way, the discovery is a relieving.
“This wasn’t the outcome we’d hoped for," Rosasco said. "But it’s a really relieving thing that we finally know what happened to him."
Students also expressed sympathy for Santo's family, who conducted multiple civilian searches of MSU’s campus with more than 800 volunteers.
“I have a lot of sympathy for his family, and I’m glad there’s some kind of conclusion," arts and humanities freshman Julia Carroll said. "My heart is out to his family."
Computer engineering sophomore Peyton Nagher said that while he was shocked at the suddenness of the discovery, he hopes it gives the family closure.
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