A desperate search is underway in Marquette, Michigan for Trenton Massey, a 21-year-old Northern Michigan University student who vanished early Sunday morning. The last confirmed sighting came from surveillance footage, painting a troubling picture of a young man struggling against the elements.
The video, captured around 3:25 a.m. near East Baraga Avenue and the Founder’s Landing Boardwalk, shows Massey appearing disoriented and with significant difficulty walking. He was last seen wearing an olive-green and black jacket and dark pants, a description that’s been widely circulated as authorities expand their efforts.
Police are now urgently requesting assistance from residents and businesses within a defined search area. They’re asking for a meticulous review of surveillance footage from Sunday morning onward, and a thorough check of all properties – vehicles, sheds, and outbuildings – for any sign of Massey.
The search zone is concentrated south of Washington Street, stretching from McClellan Avenue to the shores of Lake Superior, and extending down to Furnace Street. The urgency is amplified by the brutal conditions Massey would have faced; the night of his disappearance brought a full-blown blizzard to the region.
Hundreds of volunteers braved the freezing temperatures on Monday, joining the official search efforts. Ryder Amesbury, a fellow NMU student who had met Massey the night he disappeared, described the blizzard as disorienting, even for those familiar with the area.
“It’s scary,” Amesbury shared, recalling his own struggle to navigate home in the storm. “It was an absolute blizzard that night… It’s amazing to see how many people came out here to help search for him.” The outpouring of support speaks to the community’s concern for Massey’s well-being.
The emotional weight of the search is palpable. Mauria Smith, a visitor from Indianapolis, felt compelled to join the effort after witnessing search crews from her hotel window. “I’m a mother,” she explained, “and I can’t imagine if my child was missing. I’d want everybody… to come and look for him.”
As of Tuesday, the search continues with renewed intensity. Authorities have deployed specialized search teams equipped with advanced gear and training, focusing their efforts on covering ground and maximizing the chances of finding Massey safe.
