On Saturday, January 24, 2026, a student of the University of Michigan was discovered dead after a 20-hour search in frigid weather conditions. The search was triggered by his disappearance from a fraternity party in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Lucas Mattson, a 19-year-old engineering student originally from Juneau, Alaska, was last spotted at 1 a.m. on Friday, January 23, 2026. He was walking alone in the 1700 block of Hill Street, close to Washtenaw Avenue, after leaving a party at the Delta Chi fraternity. He was wearing a light-colored T-shirt, blue jeans, and white shoes, but had no coat despite zero-degree temperatures.
Mattson, a guest at the party and not a member or a pledge of the fraternity, was reported missing at 4:30 p.m. Friday, roughly 15 hours after he was last seen.
Immediately after the report, a joint search operation was launched, involving the Ann Arbor Police Department, the University of Michigan Division of Public Safety and Security, and the University of Michigan Police Department Drone Unit. The search took place in perilous sub-zero temperatures, posing risks to both the missing student and the search teams.
His body was found at 12:05 p.m. Saturday on the 1900 block of Cambridge Road, approximately two blocks from where he was last seen. The location was near a residential neighborhood close to campus along Washtenaw Avenue.
According to Ann Arbor Police Chief Andre Anderson, there were no visible signs of trauma, and there are no suspicions of foul play currently. The cause and manner of death will be determined by an autopsy conducted by the Washtenaw County Medical Examiner. The results are expected in 60 to 90 days.
“Ann Arbor Police Chief Andre Anderson and the Ann Arbor Police Department extend its deepest condolences to his family and loved ones, as well as the entire U of M community,” the department expressed in a statement.
The death was one of several fatalities during Winter Storm Fern, which brought record low temperatures and hazardous conditions across much of the country. Michigan faced some of the harshest weather of the winter season.
University of Michigan Interim President Domenico Grasso addressed the tragedy in a statement, urging against speculation while extending condolences to Mattson’s family and friends. “Please join me in extending our deepest condolences to Lucas’s family, friends, and all who loved him,” Grasso said.
Grasso underscored the importance of allowing investigators to finish their work before making conclusions about Mattson’s death. While acknowledging that student deaths are not uncommon at large institutions, he noted that this case warranted public comment due to widespread concern for Mattson’s safety during the search.
The university has initiated an investigation into the events of that night to understand what happened and to identify measures to prevent similar future incidents.
Counseling services have been made available by the university to students, faculty, and staff affected by the loss.
The incident has triggered safety concerns among students, particularly regarding winter weather and social events. Campus safety experts typically advise students against walking alone late at night, especially in harsh weather conditions. The buddy system is widely recommended at universities nationwide, as are safe ride programs and emergency phone stations across campus.
A GoFundMe has been established to assist Mattson’s family during this challenging time, reflecting the outpouring of sympathy from the university community and beyond.
The tragedy has deeply affected the University of Michigan community, with students, faculty, and staff mourning the loss of a promising young individual. Mattson’s classmates have expressed shock and grief at his untimely passing, describing him in social media posts as smart, friendly, and kind.
The fact that Mattson hailed from Alaska added a poignant aspect to the tragedy, as he had journeyed thousands of miles to pursue his education in Michigan only to meet a tragic end. His family now faces the heartbreaking task of mourning their loss from a great distance.
While the investigation and autopsy are ongoing, the University of Michigan community continues to grieve. The loss of Mattson has sparked conversations about campus safety, the responsibilities of social event hosts, and the importance of ensuring that no one walks home alone in severe weather conditions.
