Body Of Missing Lafayette Student Found In Sacramento River
SACRAMENTO (CBS SF) -- The body of missing Lafayette man Brett Michael Olson was found Sunday in the Sacramento River near the Butte-Glenn county line, a sheriff spokesman said.
Glenn County sheriff's deputies located the body after a weeklong search that was launched when Olson disappeared at an event on the river on Sept. 2, Butte County Sheriff Sgt. Steve Collins said on Sunday.
The identity of the 20-year-old college student was confirmed to CBS 5 Sunday afternoon, and Chico police said there were no apparent signs of foul play in Olson's death.
KCBS' Chris Filippi Reports:
Olson, who studied at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, had joined thousands of other college students in a float down the river that takes place annually around the beginning of the school year.
A search began on Monday that involved the Butte County Sheriff's Office, Glenn County Sheriff's Department, California Department Fish and Game, California State Parks, aerial units, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and local search-and rescue volunteers.
A memorial for Olson has been planned for 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at Acalanes High School in Lafayette, giving family and friends a chance to honor Olson's memory and legacy.
"He was the heart of our senior class, the heart of our school spirit," said high school classmate Julianna Del Becarro. "He worked on our Rally Board and brought all of our friends and our school together in a way that no one else could have."
She described Olson as a very charismatic and enthusiastic person.
"When you think of Brett," she continued, "you think of a guy who makes silly faces in the pictures, a person who always is there to put a smile on someone's face."
Brett Olson's family requests that those who want to make a donation in his honor can contribute to the "Remember Brett Foundation". For information go to www.findbrettolson.com
(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco and Bay City News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed)
