Permanent fencing built at Michigan State University after Brendan Santo drowning
EAST LANSING, MI - Michigan State University crews have started permanent fence installation along the Red Cedar River to improve campus safety after the Brendan Santo drowning last fall. His body was found in the Red Cedar River shortly after midnight on Jan. 21 this year. Santo was last seen leaving Yakeley Hall on the MSU campus shortly before midnight on Oct. 29, according to MSU police. Read more: Body found in Red Cedar River confirmed to be Brendan Santo, police sayInvestigators do not suspect foul play nor self-harm as reasons for Santo’s disappearance, MSU police said. Read more from MLive:Brendan Santo death prompts Michigan State to install fencing along Red Cedar RiverBrendan Santo’s family petitions for fences, better safety on Red Cedar RiverBody found in Red Cedar River believed to be Brendan Santo, police sayTo find Brendan Santo, East Lansing must dam Red Cedar River, petitioners sayMSU Police credit private investigator for helping find submerged body, believed to be Brendan Santo
mlive.comInvestigating student safety at MSU
Questions still remain after the heartbreaking loss and shocking discovery of Brendan Santo’s body in the Red Cedar River in East Lansing. Local 4 Investigator Karen Drew has uncovered new details in the case, and traveled to Michigan State’s campus to get answers.
300 security cameras installed across MSU housing as campus safety push continues
EAST LANSING, MI - The installation of 300 security cameras across the Michigan State University campus is complete, according to an email from the university residential service LiveOn. The camera project is part of a recent push by MSU officials to address safety and security concerns across campus, said spokesman Dan Olsen. “Cameras have been strategically placed to enhance the overall safety and security of the residence halls,” according to the email. All on-campus residence halls and apartments now have the newest security cameras, according to the email. His body was found in the Red Cedar River shortly after midnight on Jan. 21.
mlive.comBrendan Santo died of accidental drowning, report shows
EAST LANSING, MI - Brendan Santo died of accidental drowning, according to a toxicology report released Monday. His body was found in the Red Cedar River shortly after midnight on Jan. 21. Acute ethanol intoxication was listed as a contributory factor to Santo’s death, the report shows. After Santo’s death, MSU installed temporary fencing around the Red Cedar River to prevent future accidents. Read more from MLive:Brendan Santo death prompts Michigan State to install fencing along Red Cedar RiverBrendan Santo’s family petitions for fences, better safety on Red Cedar RiverBody found in Red Cedar River believed to be Brendan Santo, police sayTo find Brendan Santo, East Lansing must dam Red Cedar River, petitioners sayMSU Police credit private investigator for helping find submerged body, believed to be Brendan Santo
mlive.comMemorial for Brendan Santo planned at Grand Valley State University where he was a student
ALLENDALE, MI – A memorial is scheduled to celebrate the life of Brendan Santo, the Grand Valley State University student who went missing while visiting Michigan State University in late October and whose body was found in the Red Cedar River several months later. The memorial will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10, at the Cook Carillon Tower on GVSU’s campus, the university announced this week. Attendees will have the opportunity to say a few words or share a memory about Santo at the event, officials said. Months later, his body was found after a private investigator detected something on his camera that he suspected was Santo’s body. MSU Police Inspector Chris Rozman confirmed on Jan. 22 that the medical examiner positively identified the body as Santo based on dental records.
mlive.comTherapy dog program headed to Oxford schools after donations pour in
OXFORD, MI — Oxford Community Schools is on its way to getting its own therapy dog program, thanks to thousands in donations gathered in just a few weeks. In the days following the Nov. 30 mass shooting at Oxford High School that left four students dead and seven more people wounded, Brighton Area Schools volunteered its pack of 13 therapy dogs to students attending Oxford Middle School. Hoping to start a similar program for Oxford, Maria Gistinger on Jan. 14 created a GoFundMe page to raise funds to acquire several trained dogs. Gistinger is a retired CFO of Brighton Area Schools, which has had a Social Emotional Learning Dogs program for 12 years, founded by Brighton schoolteacher Karen Storey. The Santo family donated $10,000 to the cause and have naming rights to one of the dogs, Gistinger said.
mlive.comBrendan Santo death prompts Michigan State to install fencing along Red Cedar River
EAST LANSING, MI - Michigan State University is now installing temporary fencing along parts of the Red Cedar River in response to Brendan Santo’s death, officials said. His body was found in the Red Cedar River shortly after midnight on Jan. 21. Santo was last seen leaving Yakeley Hall on the MSU campus shortly before midnight Friday, Oct. 29. It took three and a half months to find Getz’s body, which was attached to a fallen tree in the Red Cedar River, according to a summary of his case. More from MLiveBody found in Red Cedar River believed to be Brendan Santo, police sayTo find Brendan Santo, East Lansing must dam Red Cedar River, petitioners sayMSU Police credit private investigator for helping find submerged body, believed to be Brendan Santo
mlive.comMSU mulling Red Cedar River safety measures outlined in Brendan Santo petition
EAST LANSING, MI - Michigan State University officials are mulling the implementation of fencing and other safety measures around the Red Cedar River in the wake of Brendan Santo’s death. The 18-year-old Grand Valley State University freshman from Rochester Hills went missing on Oct. 29 on the MSU campus. His body was found in the Red Cedar River shortly after midnight on Jan. 21. Improving campus safety for “our Spartan community and guests” is an important priority, MSU spokesman Dan Olsen said. More from MLiveBody found in Red Cedar River believed to be Brendan Santo, police sayTo find Brendan Santo, East Lansing must dam Red Cedar River, petitioners sayMSU Police credit private investigator for helping find submerged body, believed to be Brendan Santo
mlive.comBrendan Santo’s visitation scheduled near hometown of Rochester Hills
ROCHESTER, MI - There will be a visitation for the late Brendan Santo this Thursday in Rochester. The 18-year-old, from Rochester Hills, went missing on Oct. 29 on Michigan State University’s campus, was found in the Red Cedar River shortly after midnight on Jan. 21. The Santo family has organized a petition to implore MSU officials to improve safety measures around the Red Cedar River. “Let’s make MSU a safer place in memory of our beloved Brendan Santo,” the petition states. Read more from MLive:Body found in Red Cedar River believed to be Brendan Santo, police sayTo find Brendan Santo, East Lansing must dam Red Cedar River, petitioners sayMSU Police credit private investigator for helping find submerged body, believed to be Brendan Santo
mlive.comBrendan Santo’s family petitions for fences, better safety on Red Cedar River
EAST LANSING, MI - After nearly three months, Brendan Santo’s body was recovered Friday, Jan. 21, in the Red Cedar River. While brought his family some closure, there is one more thing they want Michigan State University to do: Increase safety on the Red Cedar River. The family is circulating a petition to install fences in areas where the river runs through campus, as well as other safety measures. “Let’s make MSU a safer place in memory of our beloved Brendan Santo,” the petition states. More from MLiveBody found in Red Cedar River believed to be Brendan Santo, police sayTo find Brendan Santo, East Lansing must dam Red Cedar River, petitioners sayMSU Police credit private investigator for helping find submerged body, believed to be Brendan Santo
mlive.comBody found in Red Cedar River confirmed to be Brendan Santo, police say
LANSING, MI - Authorities have confirmed that a body recovered in the Red Cedar River is that of missing Grand Valley State University student Brendan Santo. Santo was last seen at Michigan State University in late October, 2021. Michigan State University Police Inspector Chris Rozman confirmed on Jan. 22 that the medical examiner positively identified the body as Santo based on dental records. Students at Grand Valley State University can contact the University Counseling Center at 616-331-3266. The MSU Employee Assistance Program is available by calling 517-355-4506More from MLiveBody found in Red Cedar River believed to be Brendan Santo, police sayTo find Brendan Santo, East Lansing must dam Red Cedar River, petitioners sayMSU Police credit private investigator for helping find submerged body, believed to be Brendan Santo
mlive.comMSU Police credit private investigator for helping find submerged body, believed to be Brendan Santo
LANSING, MI -- A day after authorities recovered a body in the Red Cedar River believed to be that of Brendan Santo, police are crediting a private investigator’s underwater camera work with helping make the discovery. Related: Body found in Red Cedar River believed to be Brendan Santo, police sayPolice on Saturday said they were planning to search the exact same area beginning the week of Jan. 24. Police said the area already had been identified as an area of “significant interest” for police and the Santo family. Robison had been working with the Santo family on the case. “Our original news release said that we have worked collaboratively with the Santo family and their supporters, and that partnership was essential in our effort to find Brendan.
mlive.comMSU Police: Tip From Private Investigator Led To Discovery Of Body Believed To Be Brendan Santo
In an update on Saturday, Michigan State University police said a private investigator working with Brendan Santo's family notified them of what is believed to be his body found in the Red Cedar River.
detroit.cbslocal.comBody found in Red Cedar River believed to be Brendan Santo, police say
LANSING, MI – Police have located a body suspected of being Brendan Santo, who was last seen at Michigan State University and has been missing for 80 days. “We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss and our thoughts and prayers go out to the Santo family and all those who knew Brendan,” MSU police said. To find Brendan Santo, East Lansing must dam Red Cedar River, petitioners sayGreif counseling services are being made available to students on campus, police said. The MSU Counseling and Psychiatric Service is available 24/7 by calling 517-355-8270. The MSU Employee Assistance Program is available by calling 517-355-4506Students at Grand Valley State University can contact the University Counseling Center at 616-331-3266.
mlive.comTo find Brendan Santo, East Lansing must dam Red Cedar River, petitioners say
EAST LANSING, MI — The search for Brendan Santo, the missing Grand Valley State University freshman, is nearing three months. Family and those assisting with community search efforts are working various channels to find the 18-year-old Rochester Hills native last seen leaving Yakeley Hall on the Michigan State University campus shortly before midnight Friday, Oct. 29.
mlive.comReward for info on teen who disappeared visiting MSU increased to more than $20,000
EAST LANSING, MI — Authorities investigating the disappearance of a Grand Valley State University student who went missing at Michigan State University this fall have increased the reward for information in the case as tips continue pouring in. Brendan Santo, 18 of Rochester Hills, was visiting MSU’s campus where he was last seen leaving Yakeley Hall, heading for Brody Neighborhood, shortly before midnight on Oct. 29. There have been no confirmed sightings of Santo in the two months since his disappearance, nor have police recovered any items or clothing he had with him when he vanished.
mlive.comMSU police consulting with water experts to aid in river search efforts for Brendan Santo
EAST LANSING, MI - Brendan Santo, 18, went missing during a trip to Michigan State University’s campus on Oct. 29. The investigation continues to lead toward a search of the Red Cedar River, said MSU police, who are consulting with water experts to better focus their search efforts. In addition to sharing information about Santo on social media, MSU police have explored multiple options to enhance the search around the river, Rozman said. The challenges in finding Santo in the water include the river’s fast current, depth and lack of visibility, Rozman said. Read more from MLive:Reward for finding Brendan Santo increased to $11,000Volunteers search Michigan State campus for 18-year-old last seen a week agoMichigan State installing 300 security cameras in wake of 18-year-old’s disappearance, officials say
mlive.comPolice provide photos of necklace, shoes worn by 18 year old who went missing at MSU
EAST LANSING, MI - Police have added more photos of personal items connected to Brendan Santo, the 18-year-old who went missing in East Lansing at the end of October. Santo, a Rochester Hills native and Grand Valley State University student, was last seen leaving Yakeley Hall on the Michigan State University campus shortly before midnight on Friday, Oct. 29. MSU police provided photos of various items linked to Santo, including a necklace with a cross on it, keys and a car key fob, an iPhone12 and case and white Converse shoes. The photos of the items can be found in this MSU police Facebook post. Santo may have been walking to the Brody Neighborhood in East Lansing near Michigan and Beal avenues, police said.
mlive.comReward for finding Brendan Santo increased to $11,000
EAST LANSING, MI - The search continues for Brendan Santo, the 18-year-old who went missing while visiting Michigan State University late last month, and the reward to help find him is now $11,000. The Rochester Hills native and Grand Valley State University student was last seen leaving Yakeley Hall on the MSU campus shortly before midnight on Friday, Oct. 29.
mlive.comVolunteers search Michigan State campus for 18-year-old last seen a week ago
EAST LANSING, MI – Family and friends of a college student who disappeared in East Lansing last week plan to comb the Michigan State University campus Saturday, Nov. 6. Brendan Santo, an 18-year-old Grand Valley State University student, went missing while visiting friends on Oct. 29. There is no indication Santo left the East Lansing area since his vehicle was found where he parked it. Related: College student visiting friends at Michigan State missing since FridayPolice have searched by foot, helicopter, drone and boat on the Red Cedar River near Santo’s last known location. A probe of the water is being conducted by the Michigan State Police Marine Services Division, Ingham County Sheriff’s Office, and the Capital Area Dive Team.
mlive.comCollege student visiting friends at Michigan State missing since Friday
EAST LANSING, MI – Police are looking for a college student who went missing while visiting friends at Michigan State University over the weekend. MSU Police and Public Safety said 18-year-old Brendan Santo, a student at Grand Valley State University, was last seen leaving Yakeley Hall shortly before midnight on Oct. 29. There is no indication that he left the East Lansing area since his vehicle was found where he parked it. The Michigan State Police and the Ingham County Sheriff’s Office are assisting with specialized units conducting searches on foot, by helicopter, by drone and by boat. Santo is 5′10″, 160 pounds and was last seen wearing gray sweatpants, a black t-shirt, a black baseball hat, and white Converse high-top shoes.
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