Petition to Reopen the Investigation into the Death of Brendan Santo

To:
Attorney General of Michigan
Director of the Michigan State Police

Subject: Call for a Reinvestigation into the Death of Brendan Santo

We, the undersigned, with the support of Brendan Santo's family, urge the Michigan State Police to reopen the investigation into his death to ensure a thorough, impartial, and transparent review of the circumstances surrounding his passing.

Background:

Brendan Santo, an 18-year-old student, went missing on October 29, 2021, while visiting the Michigan State University (MSU) campus. His body was tragically discovered in the Red Cedar River on January 21, 2022, after 84 days. The investigation concluded that Brendan’s death was an accidental drowning; however, significant discrepancies and concerns have since emerged that cast doubt on this conclusion.

Reasons for Reinvestigation:

Discrepancies in the Autopsy Report: Multiple independent medical experts have reviewed Brendan's autopsy report and found no conclusive evidence to support drowning as the cause of death. These findings were shared with the MSU campus police and the prosecutor's office months before the official conclusion was made public, yet they were not adequately considered.
Lack of Transparency Regarding Key Evidence:
Critical details regarding Brendan’s clothing, particularly the distinctive sky blue "Tommy Boy" print on the back of his shirt, were not disclosed to the public or his family after his body was found. This information could have significantly aided in understanding Brendan's movements and identifying potential witnesses on the night he went missing.
A blue Grand Valley State University (GVSU) lanyard was found approximately 100 yards from where Brendan was recovered, yet this detail was not shared with Brendan's parents, and to our knowledge, no DNA testing was conducted on this item.
Improper Handling of Phone Forensics:
Forensic specialists have determined that proper protocols were not followed in handling Brendan’s phone data, as corroborated by police reports. A key phone ping at 12:09 a.m. placed Brendan southwest of Harrison and Michigan Avenue, almost 100 feet from the river, contradicting the assumed timeline of when he entered the water. Critical information about these phone pings, including another at 2:39 a.m., was not disclosed to Brendan's family, undermining confidence in the investigation's integrity.
Furthermore, none of the primary investigatory questions—where, when, or how Brendan ended up in the river—have been answered adequately. Potential eyewitness accounts that placed Brendan north of campus on the night he went missing do not appear to have been thoroughly followed up with or confirmed by investigators.
Unanswered FOIA Requests and Lack of Cooperation: Multiple Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests submitted regarding key aspects of the investigation have gone unanswered. There is a critical need for transparency and accountability from all agencies involved to ensure a complete understanding of the circumstances surrounding Brendan's death.
Failure to Reassess Evidence Following New Discoveries: There is no evidence to suggest that investigators re-examined the available video footage from surrounding businesses and properties to identify Brendan after discovering the unique characteristics of his clothing. This potential oversight may have limited the scope of the investigation.

Our Request:

We respectfully request that the Michigan State Police reopen the investigation into Brendan Santo’s death. A new investigation should:

Reassess all evidence, including the autopsy findings, phone data, and witness statements.
Re-examine video footage obtained from businesses, apartments, and other locations to identify Brendan based on the distinctive print on his clothing.
Ensure transparency by addressing unanswered FOIA requests and provide full disclosure to Brendan’s family.
Conduct an independent review of all investigative protocols to ensure that proper procedures were followed.

Why This Matters:

We believe that reopening this investigation is necessary to uncover the truth about what happened to Brendan Santo. Ensuring a thorough and impartial review of the case is vital for maintaining public trust in our law enforcement agencies and would help provide closure for Brendan’s family. No stone should be left unturned in the pursuit of justice.

We, the undersigned, with the urging of Brendan Santo's family, support this petition and call upon the Michigan State Police and the Attorney General of Michigan to take immediate action to reopen and thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding Brendan Santo’s death.