Police identified a body pulled out of a pond near the University of North Florida Saturday as George Louissaint Jr., a student who had been missing for almost a week.
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said someone was walking their dog in the area and noticed the body in a pond at The District on Kernan apartments, where family said 20-year-old Louissaint lived.
JSO confirmed Saturday afternoon that the body found in the water -- which a dive team had already searched after Louissaint's disappearance -- was the missing student.
Louissaint’s roommate and best friend Markale Ford told Action News Jax this is the outcome friends have been dreading since he was reported missing early Sunday morning.
Best friend of missing UNF student recalls their last encounter
Police said made statements that raised concerns about his personal safety then walked home from a party around 3:30 a.m. Sunday.
According to an alert issued by the university, Louissaint also made a concerning phone call to his sister around 3 a.m.
UNF police initially said the water searches were only precautionary. They searched almost 30 bodies of water after his disappearance.
Louissaint’s father said his son didn't swim well.
Police said no foul play is suspected in his death, and that JSO will now take over the investigation.
The body of missing UNF student George Louissaint Jr. has been found in a pond near The District Apartments on Kernan Blvd.
— University of North Florida (@UofNorthFlorida) February 18, 2017
An awful update. But one that will hopefully bring closure to his family https://t.co/7TlVhGUDMK
— Ashley Homrich (@AshleyWSBTV) February 18, 2017
"My heart breaks for the community. I encourage students to take advantage of the resources that the university has for students that could be prevent these situations," UNF police chief Frank Mackesy said.
Search to #FindGeorge has come to tragic end. #UNF says body of George Louissaint Jr. was recovered in pond off Kernan Blvd. https://t.co/j3awWZs5IJ
— Tenikka Smith Hughes (@TenikkaANjax) February 18, 2017
Loussaint’s family and friends tell me the loss is devastating.
“Obviously we’re going to be sad and mourn about it, but we'll just try to have great memories about him,” Ford said.
UNF said grief counselors are available to students should they need to talk to anyone.
Follow Action News Jax for the latest details on the story.
Still no word from police at scene where body was found in pond off Kernan Blvd. UNF students are gathering by tape @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/SCuIJj53W4
— Beth Rousseau (@BethANJax) February 18, 2017
Dive team has just arrived at scene where body found in pond off Kernan road. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/TZPy62R69D
— Beth Rousseau (@BethANJax) February 18, 2017
UNF Police Chief Frank Mackesy is on scene @ActionNewsJax
— Beth Rousseau (@BethANJax) February 18, 2017
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