Guiancarlo Estupigan

ISHPEMING TOWNSHIP — Searchers Sunday afternoon found the body of a Northern Michigan University student missing since Friday near the Yellow Dog River in Ishpeming Township.

Guiancarlo Estupigan, 25, had told others he was going hiking by County Road 510 on Thursday afternoon to photograph the falls, the Marquette County Sheriff’s Office said. He was reported missing Friday afternoon when he failed to return and his roommate found his Subaru Crosstrek, covered in snow, in the Yellow Dog River parking lot.

Estupigan’s body was found by volunteers about 4:15 p.m. Sunday approximately 2,300 feet south of County Road 510 and the Yellow Dog River, about 300 feet from the roadway, Sheriff Greg Zyburt said. It appeared he became lost and disoriented in a snowstorm that hit the area Thursday afternoon.

Foul play is not suspected in the death. An autopsy will be performed by the Marquette County medical examiner, a news release from the sheriff’s department stated.

Estupigan was a NMU sophomore majoring in fish and wildlife management. The sheriff and Estupigan’s family thanked members of the Marquette County Search and Rescue Team and all the volunteer who helped in the search.

Also assisting were the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Michigan State Police, an MSP helicopter, Rescue 131 and Powell Township 161.