Finding a Missing Student: A Comprehensive Guide

The disappearance of a student is a harrowing experience for the individual, their family, the educational institution, and the wider community. When a student goes missing, a rapid and coordinated response is crucial. This article outlines the steps involved in searching for a missing student, drawing upon real-world examples and best practices.

Initial Assessment and Immediate Actions

When a student is reported missing, the initial hours are critical. The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 mandates that universities implement a missing student notification policy, especially for those residing in on-campus housing. A "Missing Person" is defined as anyone whose whereabouts are unknown, regardless of the circumstances, until they are located and their well-being is confirmed.

Gathering Information

The first step involves gathering as much information as possible about the missing student. This includes:

Identifying Information: Full name, age, physical description (height, weight, hair color, eye color), and any distinguishing marks. In the case of Trenton Massey, the missing NMU student was described as 5’11” and approximately 225 lbs., with brown eyes and reddish-brown hair.
Last Known Location and Time: Where and when was the student last seen? For Trenton Massey, the last known area was near East Baraga Avenue and the Founder’s Landing Boardwalk.
Circumstances of Disappearance: Was the student alone or with others? Were they behaving normally or were they disoriented or impaired? The Marquette Police Department reported that Massey may have been impaired and disoriented at the time of his disappearance and was not dressed properly for winter exposure.
Personal Contacts: Who are the student's friends, family, and acquaintances? Who should be contacted in case of an emergency? Students living in on-campus housing often have the option to register a confidential contact person to be notified if they go missing.
Medical Information: Does the student have any medical conditions or take any medications?

Notifying Authorities

Once the initial information is gathered, the appropriate authorities should be notified immediately. This typically includes:

Campus Security: The university's Department of Public Safety should be alerted. Their investigation will work in conjunction with local police to determine the whereabouts of the student.

Read also: Community Rejoices Over Safe Return
Local Police Department: File a missing person report with the local police department. In the case of Trenton Massey, the Marquette Police Department (MPD) was the lead agency.
Emergency Contacts: If the student has designated an emergency contact, they should be notified, especially if the student has been missing for more than 24 hours. The Dean of Student Life and the Vice President of Public Safety will determine how best to make contact with the listed emergency contact.

Organizing a Search Effort

Organizing a search effort involves coordinating various resources and personnel to cover as much ground as possible. This can include law enforcement, emergency services, volunteers, and the community at large.

Defining the Search Area

Based on the available information, define the most relevant search area. This may include the student's last known location, their residence, and any other places they frequent. In the case of Trenton Massey, the initial search area was focused south of Washington Street from McClellan Avenue to the Lake Superior shoreline and south of Furnace Street.

Utilizing Resources and Technology

Leverage all available resources and technology to aid in the search:

Read also: Search Ends in Tragedy: Punta Cana

Search and Rescue Teams: Utilize specialized search and rescue teams, including those with expertise in water searches, if necessary. The Marquette County Sheriff’s Special Operations Division was involved in the search for Trenton Massey.
K-9 Units: Deploy K-9 units to search for the student's scent.
Aerial Support: Use helicopters or drones to conduct aerial searches. During the search for Trenton Massey, multiple agencies provided assets like a helicopter for a bird’s-eye view.
Underwater Vehicles and Sonar: Employ underwater vehicles and sonar units to search bodies of water. The Michigan State Police utilized an underwater vehicle and sonar units in the search for Massey.
Airboats: Utilize airboats to easily glide over frozen water. The Michigan DNR transported an airboat overnight from Detroit to assist in the search for Massey.
Camera Footage: Review camera footage from the area where the student was last seen. Lt. Brian Kurin with the Marquette County Sheriff’s Special Operations Division said camera footage focused the search around the Founder’s Landing Boardwalk.

Coordinating Volunteers

Volunteers can be a valuable asset in a search effort, but it is important to coordinate their efforts effectively:

Organize Search Parties: Divide volunteers into search parties and assign them specific areas to cover. During the search for Trenton Massey, groups continued a grid search further inland.
Provide Instructions: Give volunteers clear instructions on what to look for and how to report any findings.
Safety Precautions: Emphasize safety precautions, especially when searching in hazardous conditions. The MPD asked everyone to be mindful of private property and to keep off the ice.
Community Involvement: Encourage community members to check their property, including vehicles and outbuildings, for any signs of the missing student. The MPD requested residents to check their property for signs of Trenton Massey.

Community Support and Mental Health Resources

The disappearance of a student can have a significant impact on the community, and it is important to provide support and resources to those affected.

Information Sessions

Hold information sessions for students, faculty, and staff to share resources and provide updates on the search efforts. Northern Michigan University held an information session for students, faculty, and staff to share resources like mental health services during the search for Trenton Massey.

Mental Health Services

Make mental health services available to those who are struggling with the situation. NMU Spokesperson Derek Hall said the university was providing services and reaching out to students, friends of Trenton, and faculty members.

Community Vigils

Organize community vigils to show support for the missing student and their family. Efforts were underway to hold a vigil in the community for Trenton Massey.

Fundraising Efforts

Support the family of the missing student through fundraising efforts. Kelly Grinnell, of Owosso, started a GoFundMe to support Massey's family.

Dealing with Setbacks and Continuing the Search

Even with the best efforts, searches can sometimes be unsuccessful. It is important to remain persistent and continue to follow up on any leads.

Suspending Active Search Efforts

In some cases, law enforcement may suspend active search efforts pending new information. This was the case with the search for Trenton Massey, which was suspended by law enforcement on Wednesday, Feb. 25.

Continuing the Investigation

Even when active search efforts are suspended, the investigation should continue. The MPD stated that the investigation was ongoing.

Following Up on Leads

Any new leads or information should be immediately investigated. Grim said the search would resume with any new evidence, and law enforcement would continue to follow every lead.

Encouraging Continued Volunteer Efforts

Volunteers can continue to search on their own, but they should be mindful of private property and safety precautions. Grim said volunteers were still free to search for Massey on their own but asked them to be mindful of private property and to stay off the ice.

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