Body found in river is missing U of M student, mother confirms

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - The mother of a missing University of Minnesota student has confirmed her son's body was found in the Mississippi River.

Thursday evening, Hennepin County Sheriff's deputies shared the news of the discovery with the family of missing University of Minnesota student 22-year-old Chris Stanley. Family members told Fox 9 a bracelet and watch recovered along with the body match items belonging to Stanley.

On Friday Stanley's mother, Melissa Melnick, posted on Facebook thanking those who worked to find her son.

"I know he will be cherished for many years to coming," she wrote. According to her post, Stanley died of drowning. He went missing last week around 8 p.m. near St. Anthony Falls.

A friend of Stanley's told officials they climbed a fence in Water Power Park so they could sit along the Mississippi River when a large "wave" swept them into the river.

The Ramsey County Medical Examiner's Office will make a formal identification and determine the cause of death.