JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The body of the missing University of North Florida student was found Saturday in a pond at the District on Kernan apartments, across the street from the Kernan Boulevard Baptist Church, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said.
The discovery of 20-year-old George Louissaint Jr's body came nearly one week after he went missing after a party at the Osprey Flats near the rear entrance of the Glen Kernan subdivision and Kernan Boulevard.
Ron Lendvay, director of investigations and homeland security for JSO, said a passerby walking their dog saw something unusual partially submerged body. A dive team responded and said the clothing matched Louissaint's.
Officers said there were no signs of foul play. An autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death, Ledvay said.
Cynthia Butler-Jackson helped in the search for Louissaint. She said she hopes that Louissaint's family can now find closure.
"I'm happy that his body has been found for closure for his parents," Butler-Jackson said. "Especially his mother. I hate the outcome. I kept my fingers crossed that he would be found alive, but like the father said, 'He was willing to accept whatever the Lord had designed.'"
A candlelight vigil is scheduled for Monday night at 6:30 p.m. at the Osprey Plaza at the student union to remember Louissaint.
Louissant was last seen 2 a.m. Sunday at a party broken up by police. Family members said he spoke to his sister on the phone about an hour later. His family said nothing indicated anything was wrong. His parents tried calling his cellphone, but it went straight to voicemail.
Police began to wind down their search Wednesday and focused on their investigation into how he disappeared. On Thursday, which would’ve been Louissaint's 21st birthday, dive teams returned to search more ponds and lakes on campus.
Crews searched 14 square miles and 27 bodies of water during the search for Louissaint, UNF police said.
UNF police Chief Frank Mackesy had said on Wednesday that they were not giving up the search, but visible activity decreased as the focus turned to following tips and developing leads.
Authorities said they previously searched the pond where Louissaint's body was found.
Mackesy said the campus has set up grief counselors for students in Student Union Center in Building 58 East, Room 1100.
Officers said the investigation into Louissaint's death is ongoing.