Search for Trenton Massey, missing Northern Michigan University (NMU) student in Marquette turns to Lake Superior after a hole in ice is found amid blanket search amid winter storm. Surveillance video captured missing NMU student appearing disorientated and having difficulty walking.
Police in Marquette, Michigan are asking for the public’s help in locating a missing Northern Michigan University student who was last seen early Sunday morning and feared to have been caught up in extreme weather blanketing the area.
Trenton Massey, 21, a student at Northern Michigan University (NMU) was last seen on Sunday, February 22 at approximately 3:08 a.m.
Surveillance cameras captured him walking east on the bike path near the 7th Street Bridge. Authorities believe he may have been attempting to return to his residence on McMillan Street at the time.
NMU student appears disorientated and struggling to walk amid winter storm
‘Massey appears to be disoriented and having difficulty walking,’ the Marquette Police Department said in a statement.
Capt. of Detectives Christopher Aldrich of the Marquette Police Department said that a combination of factors could have led to Massey’s disoriented state, namely that he had been consuming alcohol earlier in the evening and could also have been affected by the cold temperatures.
At the time of his disappearance, temperatures were 20 degrees Fahrenheit, dropping to 10 degrees Fahrenheit come Monday. The extreme weather led to NMU announcing it would be closed on Monday.
Massey was last seen wearing a black and olive-green coat and dark pants.
Hole found in ice on Lake Superior becomes new focal point in search
Noted a release from NMU: ‘Hundreds of volunteers showed up in tough conditions to search for him. It was notable to see students, employees, alums and neighbors come together and answer the call for assistance from the Marquette City Police Department.’
In a late Monday update in the case, Marquette police stated finding a hole in the ice on Lake Superior, close to where the student went missing. Search and rescuers are now scouring the lake ashore.
Police are classifying the case as an endangered missing person investigation and are urging anyone with information about Massey’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Marquette Police Department at 906-228-0400.
