One of the great players in Grand Valley State history went missing over the Memorial Day weekend. Now, other players, coaches and staff members at the school are helping in the search to find him.
Per the AP, Cullen Finnerty, who led GVSU to three Division II national titles, went missing on Sunday during a fishing trip along the Baldwin River near his family’s cabin. Police say Finnerty spoke to his family that night, saying “he was nervous about something.” The family believes Finnerty may have had a “mental episode” of some sort.
“He phoned his wife and explained he was afraid,” said Sheriff Robert Hilts. “He left his equipment and ran off into the woods.”
Police tracked Finnerty’s cell phone until it died.
So far, all that’s been found is a small pontoon boat, but no sign of Finnerty, who won national titles in 2003, ’05, and ’06.
“Everybody’s just kind of anxious to get up there and see how we can help,” said Lakers coach Matt Mitchell, a former assistant for the team when Finnerty played.
Updated 10:26 p.m. ET: Sadly, the body of Cullen Finnerty was found Tuesday evening, according to the AP. The search party came upon Finnerty’s body about half a mile from where he originally disappeared. There are no early signs of foul play involved and an autopsy is scheduled to be performed.
Finnerty was just 30 years old.