Found Deceased MI - Brendan Santo 18, visitor, Michigan State University campus, East Lansing, 29 Oct 2021

[Valerie D.]

Yes, thanks. It was the way the story was written that had me confused. It said the car was found 12:45am but later in the article it said, "The car, a 2018 Chevy Impala, was reported missing from Rochester Hills earlier in the morning (at 2:00am) on Wednesday, according to Detroit Police".

This report has more specifics:
Dispatch Audio: Detroit Fire Finds Body In Trunk Of Burning Vehicle

Detroit’s West Side 1227AM November 3 2021: Detroit Fire was dispatch to the 12800 Chapel for a dwelling fire at around 1227AM Wednesday morning. On arrival, Detroit Fire’s Engine 57 reported a car fire and cancelled the box alarm. Shortly afterward, Engine 57 reported “One in the trunk” to Central Dispatch. Arson Car 811 was notified as well as the Detroit Police Department’s 6th Precinct. DEMS Medic 22 was also dispatched to the scene. Detroit Police dispatched evidence/forensic techs to the scene shortly afterward.

Update via DPD:
Detroit Police Department
via DPD: HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION: Detroit police are investigating the findings of a body inside of a burned vehicle in the 12800 block of Chapel on the city’s west side. The discovery happened 12:30 a.m. this morning (Nov. 3). DPD received notification that the vehicle — a Chevrolet Impala — is connected to a missing person case out of Rochester Hills. The identity of the victim is undetermined at this time. We have K-9 and homicide units canvassing the area as we work to solve this case. We’ll provide updates as info is made available.

Update 2 via DPD (4:00PM Nov 3 2021: UPDATE: Detroit police are questioning two persons of interest in connection to this homicide investigation. No further details are immediately available.

 

[samsmom]

Gray Hughes mentioned this case tonight

 

[samsmom]

On the above video, Gray starts discussing about 15 minutes in.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

"It is unfathomable to believe in this day and age someone can just disappear," Brendan's aunt, Dawn Brewer, said. "Our family is desperately begging anyone with information to come forward even anonymously."
$20K reward offered for student who vanished at Michigan State University

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Upcoming dinner, silent auction to bring awareness to Brendan Santo case - The State News

A dinner and silent auction is planned for Feb. 26 to raise awareness for missing Grand Valley State University student Brendan Santo.

The State Flyer Challenge is ongoing and raises awareness by spreading flyers in all 50 states. In addition, the College Flyer Challenge aims to have flyers in all Michigan colleges.

The Bring Brendan Santo Home Facebook group has also reached over 43,000 members.

"Our family started the Bring Brendan Santo Home Facebook as soon as we found out he was missing. We knew we needed to raise awareness," Dawn Brewer, Santo's aunt, said. "Our family continues to be overwhelmed by their support and dedication. ... We have started to raise awareness for other missing people."...

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

The family (or their representatives) have started a petition to have the Red Cedar River dammed so it can be determined, once and for all, whether or not Brendan is in the river. I don't know if linking the petition site is permissible, so if you're interested in learning more, please visit the Facebook page here: Bring Brendan Santo Home - Home | Facebook

 

[borndem]

(Apologies if this story was already posted)

From the Spartan Newsroom which is run by MSU School of Journalism:
EAST LANSING – Michigan State University has seen a rough two weeks, with several disturbing events happening in rapid succession after the football game against Michigan on Oct. 30.

The events included a riot in which two cars were flipped and several couch burnings; two shootings (one of which in downtown East Lansing) and an armed man near campus. To top it off, Brandon Santo, a Grand Valley State student who was visiting MSU, went missing on Oct. 29.

George McLaughlin, a junior, was near the post-game disturbances.

“Lately it’s been weird,” McLaughlin said. “When Brandon went missing last week, my friend said one of his buddies had a van pull up to him and ask him to get in the car, and he said no. It was pretty sketchy.”

The search for Santo has been highly visible, with flyers printed both on and off-campus. Michigan State’s administration has started issuing official updates, despite Santo not being a local student. This level of exposure has students thinking about how best to safely go about their days.

Amanda Makemson said she is pleased that the search is being given proper weight and communication by the university, but is still extra careful.

“Last year I felt super unsafe,” Makemson said. “But even with everyone back, it still does feel unsafe at times. I wouldn’t go walking around campus super late. I always try to look out for myself.”

Students felt more direct pressure Monday night, when the MSU Police sent out their first widespread alert since September. A man had carried a firearm into the Admiral gas station near Bogue Street. Shortly after, a gunshot was heard nearby.

The campus shut down for 30 minutes and, despite the scare, student Marcus Tsukahara said the quick alert and response may have bolstered confidence in campus safety.

“Overall, I feel like it’s a good warning call for any students who were not particularly conscious about their safety,” Tsukahara said. “I still feel safe around campus overall – I’m not too concerned.”

With the sun setting earlier, Tsukahara felt keeping an eye out is more important than ever, for the safety of both himself and others.

“Definitely go with a buddy system, I think even with guys,” Tsukahara said. “You don’t really know what goes on around campus these days. Share your location with at least one other person.”

Good post, @Valerie D. Keep 'em coming, and

Welcome to Websleuths,
Valerie D. !!
------------------------------​

The difference between males & females IMO -- It's interesting to see a bit of difference in the two students' comments. One was being more conscious and careful about being out & about the campus, and the other was not really worried.
I think many women, be they 20 y/o or 75 y/o are more conscientious about being alone in a car (doors always locked -- at least mine are), being watchful, especially alone and alone at night. Locking doors in the home, etc., etc. Being aware in general.
It's just the way the world is -- This is JMO, not intended to say that all men and all women are this way...

 

[Valerie D.]

New interview with Brendan's dad:

 

[Valerie D.]

I hope the FBI has talked to Interpol about Brendan's case. If you look at the missing kids database, a lot of kids go missing from states that share an international border. California, Arizona, Texas, New York with the exception of Virginia and Tennessee. They also "lose" a lot of kids for some reason. Pure speculation but... someone can drive from MSU and be at the Canadian border in less than two hours.
poster-results

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

I hope the FBI has talked to Interpol about Brendan's case. If you look at the missing kids database, a lot of kids go missing from states that share an international border. California, Arizona, Texas, New York with the exception of Virginia and Tennessee. They also "lose" a lot of kids for some reason. Pure speculation but... someone can drive from MSU and be at the Canadian border in less than two hours.
poster-results

Crossing into Canada via the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron or the Detroit-Windsor tunnel/Ambassador Bridge in Detroit has been challenging due to Covid. Appropriate identification (valid passport or enhanced driver's license) and proof of vaccination are required to enter Canada from the U.S. Did Brendan have a wallet on his person? I don't recall that being mentioned as something that the public should look for. Keys, cell phone, gold chain, Converse shoes are mentioned, but I've never read/heard anything about a wallet where ID would have been. Brendan could have had his driver's license in a pocket, but I doubt that Brendan had a passport or proof of Covid vaccination with him.

 

[borndem]

Crossing into Canada via the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron or the Detroit-Windsor tunnel/Ambassador Bridge in Detroit has been challenging due to Covid. Appropriate identification (valid passport or enhanced driver's license) and proof of vaccination are required to enter Canada from the U.S. Did Brendan have a wallet on his person? I don't recall that being mentioned as something that the public should look for. Keys, cell phone, gold chain, Converse shoes are mentioned, but I've never read/heard anything about a wallet where ID would have been. Brendan could have had his driver's license in a pocket, but I doubt that Brendan had a passport or proof of Covid vaccination with him.

bbm
Good info. Agree -- especially about the Covid doc -- he could have it in his wallet; I'd give that to be about 50/50 odds. If he were planning that kind of trip -- which I highly doubt -- he would indeed have all that was needed with him. But he didn't take his car, so...

I agree that he didn't have a plan like this in mind. If he had been kidnapped, I'm thinking the last place kidnappers would go is anywhere that would require any kind of documentation, especially if the plan was to harm him.
Still such a sad mystery.

 

[Happypetitvieux01]

Crossing into Canada via the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron or the Detroit-Windsor tunnel/Ambassador Bridge in Detroit has been challenging due to Covid. Appropriate identification (valid passport or enhanced driver's license) and proof of vaccination are required to enter Canada from the U.S. Did Brendan have a wallet on his person? I don't recall that being mentioned as something that the public should look for. Keys, cell phone, gold chain, Converse shoes are mentioned, but I've never read/heard anything about a wallet where ID would have been. Brendan could have had his driver's license in a pocket, but I doubt that Brendan had a passport or proof of Covid vaccination with him.

Mmmmm Crossing the border to enter Canada by car was not an option in October 2021. Canadian border was closed to American travellers until November 8, 2021. With full proof of vaccination, Covid test ...

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

New interview with Brendan's dad:

Thanks for the video. I would have watched NN last night if I had known they would feature the Brendan Santo case.

Seems like Mr. Santo doesn't think his son is in the Red Cedar River and is certain that Brendan did not run away. I wish Brendan's father had speculated or been asked what he thinks happened to his son. JMO

 

[Valerie D.]

Ivdid

Mmmmm Crossing the border to enter Canada by car was not an option in October 2021. Canadian border was closed to American travellers until November 8, 2021. With full proof of vaccination, Covid test ...

I didn't know this. I was under the impression that the U.S. cut off travel from Canada but Canada was allowing U.S. citizens to cross with proof of vaccination and a negative test. Thanks for clarifying.

 

[Valerie D.]

Crossing into Canada via the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron or the Detroit-Windsor tunnel/Ambassador Bridge in Detroit has been challenging due to Covid. Appropriate identification (valid passport or enhanced driver's license) and proof of vaccination are required to enter Canada from the U.S. Did Brendan have a wallet on his person? I don't recall that being mentioned as something that the public should look for. Keys, cell phone, gold chain, Converse shoes are mentioned, but I've never read/heard anything about a wallet where ID would have been. Brendan could have had his driver's license in a pocket, but I doubt that Brendan had a passport or proof of Covid vaccination with him.

The family Facebook page mentions a dark brown wallet.

 

[Allabouttrial]

A few transcribed paragraphs from the NewsNation video.

Dad - He's very independent, funny, lots of friends, you know, a freshman figuring out what he wanted to be. The challenge for us is every night going to bed not knowing where your son is.

Dad - I've walked it (they're by the river) I've tried climbing the wire over there. He's obviously much younger than I am, it just doesn't seem natural. It's not an easy thing to get over.

Reporter - What they've been able to piece together from friends, from witness statements, from cell phone data is that he was leaving a residence hall on campus. He was heading toward the area of Michigan Avenue to meet up with another group of friends which is about 500 feet away from that residence hall. And then the cell phone data goes out in between those two locations. That is why the river has been such a central area for this search because the river is in between those two areas.

Dad - We know he didn't run away, we're pretty confident of that. Its one of three things, it's either, he's in the river, someone took him or something else happened.

LE - At this time our investigation has been reviewed by our local state and federal partners and we still do not have any reason to believe that any foul play is involved.

Dad - There are different reasons that students may go near the river, whether that's to... you know relieve themselves while they're walking. They go down to the river so. No-one knows, there's no cameras back there, it's their best guess (talking about LE). My best guess is, I don't see it.

Dad - There's so much down there that if you fell down this embankment it would be difficult not to get caught somehow. You would think that, you know his hat would have blown off, you know if he fell down one of banks, any of those type of things that....something, torn clothing anything we just haven't found not one thing.

 

[cyductively]

Hi! This is my first post, so excuse me if I type a bunch of run on sentences. I went to MSU and just left this past summer with my boyfriend who graduated. Is it weird to any of you that there isn’t more backlash about the administration? Like can the family sue over the cameras being down? Or can the public even do something? I’m devastated. I’m beyond disappointed in the university but I can’t say I’m surprised can I? My freshman year was L***y N****r, followed by many racist incidents, toppled with so so so many sexual assaults. MSU has honestly let me down since the day I got there and I just want them to be held accountable.

 

[Valerie D.]

Hi! This is my first post, so excuse me if I type a bunch of run on sentences. I went to MSU and just left this past summer with my boyfriend who graduated. Is it weird to any of you that there isn’t more backlash about the administration? Like can the family sue over the cameras being down? Or can the public even do something? I’m devastated. I’m beyond disappointed in the university but I can’t say I’m surprised can I? My freshman year was L***y N****r, followed by many racist incidents, toppled with so so so many sexual assaults. MSU has honestly let me down since the day I got there and I just want them to be held accountable.

Hi, Cyductively, thank you for sharing your experiences. I'm sorry that your time at the school was so devastating. Overall, I get the sense that students feel powerless against this long-standing establishment. I'm not a lawyer but I imagine that litigation brought due to pain and suffering isn't unreasonable though (speculation here) the parents might be hesitant since they depend on the school for help with finding their son.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Rescue teams searching Red Cedar River for missing Brendan Santo (lansingstatejournal.com)

Multiple law enforcement agencies continued their search for 18-year-old Brendan Santo Friday morning at the Red Cedar River.

The Michigan State Police Marine Services Division, the Capital Area Dive Team and the Oakland County Sheriff’s Dive Team and Ingham County Sheriff's Office were all assisting Michigan State University Police and Public Safety with the search, said Inspector Chris Rozman of the MSU police.

Rozman confirmed that the current efforts were related to the search for Santo around 10 a.m. Friday...

Every time I read that a search is taking place, I keep hoping that this is the day that Brendan will be located and that his family will have closure. Praying that today will bring answers.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Santo search continues in new location (wilx.com)

EAST LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - In the continuing search for a Grand Valley State University student missing since October, dive teams are focusing on a new location.

Several teams, including the Michigan State Police Marine Services Division, Oakland County Sheriff’s Department Dive Team, and Capital Area Dive Team are searching near the end of Clippert St., south of Kalamazoo St, near Green Dot Stables.

Along with the dive teams, the Ingham County Sheriff’s Office is assisting Michigan State University Police and Public Safety with the search.

News 10 has a crew on the scene and will be providing updates about this new search. Police are expected to provide an update at 1:30 p.m. ...