UPDATE: December 23, 2021.
As we enter the holiday season the family of Brendan Santo, who has missing since October 29th, 2021, continues to be in our thoughts and weighs heavy on the hearts of our officers and investigators who have been working so hard on this case. In the days ahead as you get together with family and friends, please share this flyer and talk about the case. We are hopeful that someone may have some information that we have not yet received and that they will reach out to our investigative team.
Please know that we continue our collective work as an investigative team. Our investigation has led us to the Red Cedar River which continues to be of particular interest, however we continue to explore other possibilities. Our investigative work has been reviewed by our local, state, and federal partners and we still do not believe foul play is involved. There have been no confirmed sightings of Brendan since he was last seen on October 29th. To date, our investigation and search efforts have not located any items of interest or any of Brendan’s personal property.
The water search is complex and challenging. We have used sonar, canines, and other underwater technology as part of the river search to identify areas of interest in the water. While we have searched these areas of interest in the Red Cedar with divers, it is not possible to search the entire river with divers. Challenges of searching the river is the current, depth, visibility, obstacles present, as well as other underwater entanglement hazards. We have consulted with engineers and water experts as part of our search operation to determine next steps.
We have received hundreds of tips. Our investigative team looks at each individual tip and evaluates what follow-up investigation can be conducted and then performs that follow-up as necessary. Some are just suggestions and not actually tips.
The reward fund has grown and is now held in an independent account at Genisys Credit Union managed by a third party. Crime stoppers of Mid-Michigan is still involved but ONLY with tips.
A new flyer can be found here: https://police.msu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Brendan-Santo-FlyerPDF.pdf
Tips:
If you have any information please call us toll-free at 844-99-MSUPD (844-996-7873) or email tips@police.msu.edu. You can also contact Crime Stoppers of Mid-Michigan at 517-483-STOP. As always, MSU Police and Public Safety can be contacted anytime by calling 517-355-2221 or 9-1-1 for emergencies.
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Letter addressing safety concerns: November 11, 2021.
President Stanley sent a letter to the MSU community addressing safety concerns that can be viewed here.
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UPDATE: November 6, 2021.
East Lansing, Mich – MSU Police and Public Safety continues to search for missing Grand Valley State University student Brendan Santo. Missing for over a week, Santo was last seen on Friday, October 29 just before midnight in the area of Yakeley Hall on the campus of Michigan State University.
The effort to find Santo has included searches by foot, drone, helicopter, and boat and has utilized canine units, divers, and civilian volunteers. The investigation has used advanced techniques to review cellular, smart phone, and GPS data. Investigators continue to review and follow-up on tips as they are received.
The department today is expanding its partnership – consisting of local, state, and federal agencies – to assist with the investigation moving forward.
“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,” said Inspector Chris Rozman, Public Information Officer with MSU Police and Public Safety. “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.”
The department’s expanded partnership includes the following partner agencies:
- East Lansing Police Department
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Grand Valley State University Police Department
- Ingham County Sheriff’s Office
- Michigan Department of Attorney General
- Michigan State Police
- Oakland County Sheriff’s Office
“Our genuine hope is that with these additional resources and collaboration we will ensure that all investigative avenues are being explored and the work that we have already done can be reviewed by other professional agencies for collective investigative practices,” Rozman added.
“We recognize that this has been a concerning time for members of our community and beyond and we appreciate the outpouring of support from each of you and your individual efforts to spread awareness about our ongoing efforts,” said Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police Marlon Lynch. “We will continue our tireless search and investigation, and we will do everything we can to bring Brendan home.”
Tips:
If you have any information please call us toll-free at 844-99-MSUPD or email tips@police.msu.edu. You can also contact Crime Stoppers of Mid-Michigan at 517-483-STOP. As always, MSU Police and Public Safety can be contacted anytime by calling 517-355-2221 or 9-1-1 for emergencies.
Reward:
The Santo family has asked us to share that they will be offering a $11,000 reward to anyone with credible information that leads to bringing Brendan home. This reward will be managed through Crime Stoppers of Mid-Michigan through the existing MSU Police and Public Safety toll-free tip line and tip email.
Volunteer search:
The family of Brendan is organizing a volunteer search effort on campus today, Nov. 6. MSU Police and Public Safety and our law enforcement partners are involved in that search effort. Volunteers are gathering at the MSU Union to search wooded areas until dusk. Maps will be provided.
MSU Resources:
There are many resources available for our campus community during this difficult time. The MSU Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) is available 24/7 by calling 517-355-8270. The MSU Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available by calling 517-355-4506.
GVSU Resources:
Students at Grand Valley State University can also contact their University Counseling Center at 616-331-3266.
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UPDATE: November 4, 2021.
East Lansing, Mich. – MSU Police and Public Safety would like to reassure the community that our campus is a safe place for our students, faculty, staff, and visitors. At this point, foul play is not suspected in Brendan Santo’s disappearance and we have received no other reports of missing persons. We also do not believe that Brendan intended to harm himself.
The investigation has led us to focus on the Red Cedar River which is in very close proximity to Brendan’s last known location. However, we continue to investigate other possibilities. We are also continuing to use specialized resources from the Michigan State Police Marine Services Division, Ingham County Sheriff’s Office, and the Capital Area Dive Team for this intensive search of the water.
The MSU Police Digital Forensics and Cyber Crime Unit, working with the Michigan State Police Technical Services Unit, has used advanced techniques to review cellular, smartphone, and GPS data. The data is also being reviewed by the FBI. We have not recovered Brendan’s phone and records show no current activity. We are confident that we have obtained the available information from his digital footprint.
The Santo family has asked us to share their thanks to everyone who has participated in the search and shared information. They encourage community members to continue to keep their eyes open and provide tips or information to investigators.
Tips:
If you have any information please call us toll-free at 844-99-MSUPD or email tips@police.msu.edu. Our investigators remain committed and are following up on all tips that we receive. MSU Police and Public Safety can be contacted anytime by calling 517-355-2221 or 9-1-1 for emergencies.
MSU Resources:
There are many resources available for our campus community during this difficult time. The MSU Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) is available 24/7 by calling 517-355-8270. The MSU Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available by calling 517-355-4506.
GVSU Resources:
Students at Grand Valley State University can also contact their University Counseling Center at 616-331-3266.
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ORIGINAL POST: November 1, 2021.
East Lansing, Mich. – MSU Police and Public Safety continues to search for 18 year-old Brendan Santo. Brendan was visiting friends at Michigan State University on Friday, October 29th and was last seen leaving Yakeley Hall shortly before midnight. It is possible he intended to walk approximately a half mile to the Brody Neighborhood. Brendan was last seen walking on campus and there is no indication he left the East Lansing area. Brendan’s vehicle remains in the last location it was parked.
To enhance our search efforts, resources from other state and local law enforcement agencies have been utilized. Michigan State Police and the Ingham County Sheriff’s Office are providing assistance with specialized units. Our operation has included searches conducted on foot, by helicopter, by drone and boat.
The investigation has included interviewing everyone who last had contact or spoke with Brendan, a review of surveillance cameras, and advanced techniques such as reviewing cellular, smartphone, and GPS data. Our social media posts have reached over 300,000 people. We encourage the public to help by continuing to share information broadly. MSU Police and Public Safety investigators will continue to utilize available resources and follow-up on all related leads.
Brendan 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.
If you have any information please call us toll-free at 844-99-MSUPD or tips@police.msu.edu.
Resources:
We also want to highlight resources for our campus community during this difficult time. The MSU Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) is available 24/7 by calling 517-355-8270. The MSU Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available by calling 517-355-4506.
Pictures of Brendan Santo:
Media Contact: Inspector Chris Rozman, Public Information Officer.
517-432-7940, RozmanC@police.msu.edu.