GALVESTON, TX – January 29, 2021 – Investigators discovered human remains during a search Friday morning for a Texas A&M University at Galveston cadet reported missing this week. While the identification of the body is not yet officially confirmed, it is presumed to be the missing cadet.
On January 28, 2021, at approximately 7:40 p.m., the Texas A&M University at Galveston Police Department contacted the Galveston Police Department in reference to a missing student. The university reported the student was last seen on Wednesday, January 27 at approximately 5 p.m.
A student reported witnessing what may have been the missing person’s vehicle in a cleared area near Seawolf Parkway on Thursday afternoon. Texas A&M University cadets and the police responded to the scene and verified the vehicle belonged to the missing person.
GPD contacted the Texas City Police Department and the U.S. Coast Guard. The Texas City Police Department deployed three drones and the Coast Guard deployed a helicopter to aid in the search. Numerous TAMUG students also volunteered to assist in searching the area late into the night.
The search for the missing student resumed Friday morning with assistance from Alpha SAR, a search and recovery group from Houston. The body was found on Pelican Island Friday morning.
The Galveston Police Department has taken the lead in the investigation because the vehicle was found in the department's jurisdiction and the agency continues to work in partnership with TAMUG and area law enforcement.
Thank you to the students and staff, as well as other partners, for your leadership and assistance during this difficult time for the TAMUG community.
The Galveston Police Department is providing a statement from Police Chief Vernon Hale with updated information regarding the deaths of two TAMUG students.
"We want to offer our deepest condolences to the Texas A&M University at Galveston community and the families of the two students who died this week. These are tragic circumstances, and our heart breaks for all affected.
The deaths are not related. The Galveston County Medical Examiner's Office has confirmed the cause of death for the student found in the dorm was a preexisting medical condition.
The Galveston Police Department will continue working to complete its official investigation of the cadet's death. We want to assure the public that our investigation has not found any suspicion of foul play in the cadet's death, and we do not believe there is any risk posed to the community.
We want to extend our thanks and gratitude to the university, the Texas City Police Department, the U.S. Coast Guard, Alpha SAR, and the many individuals who assisted in this effort and helped bring closure to the family under challenging conditions.
We appreciate the local media's efforts and role in providing information to the community. However, we politely ask that the coverage of these events respects the grieving families and their privacy." – Galveston Police Chief Vernon Hale