(WWJ) Tens of thousands of dollars has been raised in less than 24 hours to help fund the search for a teenager who disappeared on the campus of Michigan State University.
As of 8 a.m. Monday, a GoFundMe page with the headline "Bring Brendan Santo Home" had raised more than $95,000, surpassing its goal of $75,000.
"The Santo Family is in need of everyone’s support," the fundraiser page reads. "Please help fund the search efforts to find Brendan ASAP! Time is of the essence."
Santo, 18, of Rochester Hills, was last seen just after midnight on Friday, Oct. 29, just after leaving Yakeley hall. The Grand Valley State University student was visiting friends on campus for the weekend.
Since then, local, state, and federal authorities have worked together in the search using drones, helicopters and canine units. Police located Santo’s truck on campus, but there was no sign of the teen.
While police have said they remain optimistic that Santo may be found alive, a dive team was deployed to search the Red Cedar River, without results.
Meanwhile, there are few clues as to what may have happened to the teen. Police have said foul play is not suspected in the case, and they have no evidence to suggest that Santo was impaired at the time he went missing.
As the investigation continues, Santo's family is working with Crime Stoppers to provide a cash reward of $11,000. Anyone with tips or information is urged to come forward.
Tips can be submitted through the MSU Police and Public Safety toll-free tip line at 844-99-MSUPD, by email to tips@police.msu.edu, or anonymously through the Crime Stoppers of Mid-Michigan at 517-483-STOP.
The public can donate to the search effort HERE.
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