The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said that, the University of North Florida missing student’s body was found on Saturday in a pond at the District on Kernan apartments, across the street from the Kernan Boulevard Baptist Church.
The discovery of the 20 years old George Louissaint Jr's body came nearly one week after he went missing after a party at the Osprey Flats near rear entrance of the Glen Kernan subdivision and Kernan Boulevard.
Ron Lendvay, the director of investigations and homeland security for JSO, said that a passerby walking their dog saw something unusual partially submerged body. A dive team responded and said that the clothing of the body matched Louissaint's.
Officers said that there were no signs of foul play. Ledvay said that, an autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death.
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Cynthia Butler-Jackson helped police in the search for Louissaint. She said that she hopes that Louissaint's family can now find closure.
Louissant was last seen around at 2 a.m. on Sunday at the party broken up by police. Family members said that he spoke to his sister on the phone about an hour later. His family also said that nothing indicated anything was wrong. His parents tried calling to his cellphone, but it went straight to the voicemail.
Police began to wind down their search on Wednesday and focused on their investigation into how he disappeared. On Thursday, which would have been Louissaint's 21st birthday, dive teams returned to the search more ponds and lakes on campus.
UNF police said that the crews searched 14 square miles and 27 bodies of water during the search for Louissaint.
UNF police Chief Frank Mackesy had said on Wednesday that they were not going to giving up the search, but visible activity decreased as the focus turned to following tips and developing the leads.
Authorities said that they previously searched the pond where Louissaint's body was found.
Mackesy said that the campus has set up grief counselors for students in the Student Union Center in Building 58 East, Room 1100.
Officers said that the investigation into Louissaint's death is ongoing.
By Mrudula Duddempudi.
