Nearly two months after 21-year-old Northern Michigan University student Trenton Massey disappeared, Marquette officials say the search has reached a heartbreaking conclusion. His body was recovered yesterday afternoon from the city's Lower Harbor, closing a weeks-long effort that pulled in dozens of agencies and hundreds of volunteers.
At about 3:30 p.m., the Marquette Police Department said Massey’s body was found submerged in the water north of Shiras Dock. Volunteers from Hybrid Robotics, a Traverse City company that specializes in underwater remotely operated vehicles, located the remains, and divers from the Marquette County Sheriff's Office brought the body to shore. UPHS EMS then transported him to UPHS-Marquette for an autopsy. Police said the investigation is still active, as reported by ClickOnDetroit.
Last Seen on Surveillance Video
Massey was last captured on surveillance footage in the early morning hours of February 22, around 3 a.m., walking near East Baraga Avenue and the Founder's Landing boardwalk. According to police, the video showed him appearing disoriented and struggling to walk. Investigators believed he was on his way to his McMillan Street residence, and organized searches briefly paused in late February before teams shifted their focus back to the harbor area, as reported by WNEM.
Multi-Agency Search Effort
The search stretched across land, ice, air and water, and involved a long list of local, state and federal partners. Alongside community volunteers, crews from the Marquette County Sheriff's Office, Michigan State Police K-9 and marine units, U.S. Coast Guard Station Marquette and multiple fire and conservation agencies worked the case. Authorities publicly praised both the community’s response and the sophisticated tools brought to bear in the operation, as reported by ClickOnDetroit.
Northern Michigan University officials said the school hosted an information session for students during the search and made well-being resources available to the campus community, per Northern Michigan University.
Community Reaction
In Marquette and in Massey’s hometown, supporters organized vigils and line searches as the days stretched on. A GoFundMe set up to support his family drew a significant number of donations. While volunteers combed through snow, ice and shoreline, organizers and officials repeatedly urged people to stay off unstable ice and to respect private property boundaries. Authorities also asked anyone with information to contact the Marquette Police Department at (906) 228-0400. Local outlets highlighted the widespread show of support and the fundraising push, as reported by UpperMichiganSource.
Officials said an autopsy is pending and investigators are still reviewing evidence and following leads. No details on the cause or manner of death have been released. Authorities publicly thanked volunteers and partner agencies for their work and said they plan to share further updates as the inquiry moves forward, per WNEM.
