A University of Michigan student was found dead on Saturday, January 24, 2026, after a 20-hour search in extreme cold conditions following his disappearance from a fraternity party in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Lucas Mattson, 19, was last seen at 1 a.m. on Friday, January 23, 2026, walking alone in the 1700 block of Hill Street near Washtenaw Avenue. The engineering student, originally from Juneau, Alaska, had left a party at the Delta Chi fraternity wearing only a light-colored T-shirt, blue jeans, and white shoes. He had no coat despite temperatures that had plummeted to 0 degrees.
Mattson was a guest at the party and was neither a member nor a pledge of the fraternity. The sophomore was reported missing at 4:30 p.m. Friday, approximately 15 hours after he was last seen.
A coordinated search effort began immediately, involving officers from 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 sub-zero temperatures that created dangerous conditions for both the missing student and the search teams.
His body was discovered at 12:05 p.m. Saturday in the 1900 block of Cambridge Road, about two blocks from where he was last seen. The location was near Washtenaw Avenue in a residential neighborhood close to campus.
Ann Arbor Police Chief Andre Anderson said there are no obvious signs of trauma, and foul play is not suspected at this time. The Washtenaw County Medical Examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death. Results are expected to take 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 said in a statement.
The death was part of multiple deaths from Winter Storm Fern, which brought historic cold temperatures and dangerous conditions to much of the country, with Michigan experiencing some of the coldest weather of the winter season.
University of Michigan Interim President Domenico Grasso addressed the campus community in a statement, acknowledging the tragedy while cautioning against speculation. “Please join me in extending our deepest condolences to Lucas’s family, friends, and all who loved him,” Grasso said.
Grasso emphasized the need to allow investigators to complete their work before drawing conclusions about the circumstances surrounding Mattson’s death. The university president noted that while student deaths occur regularly at institutions of the university’s size, this case warranted public comment due to the widespread concern for Mattson’s safety during the search.
The university is now investigating the events of that night to better understand what transpired and identify possible steps to help prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The university has offered counseling services to students, faculty, and staff who are grieving the loss. Support is available through Wolverine Wellness, University Health Service, and Counseling and Psychological Services.
The incident has raised concerns among students about safety during winter weather and the importance of looking out for one another during social events. Campus safety experts typically advise students never to walk alone late at night, especially during severe weather conditions. The buddy system, in which friends ensure everyone leaves together and arrives safely at their destinations, is widely recommended at universities across the country. Many institutions also offer safe ride programs and emergency phone stations throughout campus areas to provide additional safety resources.
A GoFundMe was created to help support Mattson’s family during this difficult time. The fundraiser reflects the outpouring of sympathy from the university community and beyond.
The tragedy has resonated throughout the University of Michigan community, where students, faculty, and staff are processing the loss of a young person with his entire future ahead of him. Engineering students who shared classes with Mattson have expressed shock and sadness at his death, describing him in social media posts as smart, friendly, and kind.
Mattson’s status as a student from Alaska added another layer of poignancy to the tragedy, as he had traveled thousands of miles to pursue his education in Michigan, only to lose his life in circumstances that might have been prevented. His family now faces the unimaginable task of grieving their loss while so far from home.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of how quickly winter weather can turn deadly, even for those who may be accustomed to cold climates. Alaska experiences severe winter conditions, but the circumstances of leaving a social gathering without proper clothing in sub-zero temperatures created a perfect storm of dangerous factors.
As the investigation continues and the medical examiner works to determine the official cause of death, the University of Michigan community remains united in grief. The loss of Mattson has prompted renewed conversations about campus safety, the responsibilities of social event hosts, and the critical importance of never leaving a friend to walk home alone, especially in dangerous weather conditions.
