Authorities today found a body in the Appomattox River, and believe it is the body of Jauwan Holmes, the second Virginia State University student who went missing after an initiation ritual for a non-campus organization turned tragic last Saturday morning. From WRIC:

“Saturday’s incident wouldn’t be the first time VSU students have died as part of an initiation process. In 1979, two VSU (then called Virginia State College) drowned in the Appomattox River while taking part in an initiation “going over” ritual, according to the book “Wrongs of Passage: Fraternities, Sororities, Hazing and Binge Drinking” by Hank Nuwer.”

Marvell Edmondson was positively identified yesterday after days of underwater and and sonar search efforts over the last five days. VSU today announced that a campus memorial service for Holmes and Edmondson will be held on Friday beginning at noon.

Police yesterday charged four men in connection with the drowning and disappearance of the two freshmen.

Reuters today reports that four men have been each charged with five counts of felony hazing in connection with the drowning death of Virginia State University freshman Marvell Edmondson, and the disappearance of freshman Jauwan Holmes.

Edmondson’s body was found just days after he and Holmes were believed to have been drowned in the currents of the Appomattox River in an initiation ritual for the Men of Honor, an organization which actively recruited VSU students but was not a sanctioned campus student organization. From Reuters:

“The four men charged with hazing were linked to the “Men of Honor” group, police said. They include James A. Mackey, 35 of Midlothian; freshman Cory D. Baytop, 26 of Newport News; and freshman Eriq K. Benson, 19, of Quinton.

Police said Charles E Zollicoffer, 29, had also been charged but was not yet in custody.”

Virginia State University today confirmed the identity of a body found in the Appomattox River as Marvell Edmondson, one of two VSU freshmen who went missing last Saturday after an initiation ritual for an unaffiliated campus organization turned tragic. Search teams composed of several county and state police officials continue to search for Jauwan Holmes.

“We continue to grieve for these two young Trojans,” says VSU President Keith T. Miller. “We trust this development provides a sense of relief to Marvell’s family and pray for both of our students’ families.”

Authorities recovered a body from the Appomattox River earlier this afternoon, and officials with the Chesterfield County Police are waiting to to confirm if it is the body of one of two missing Virginia State University students who disappeared in the river last Saturday night.

VSU freshmen Jauwan Holmes and Marvell Edmondson disappeared early Saturday morning after eyewitnesses said the pair was among a group of Virginia State students who attempted to walk across the river as part of an initiation ritual for the Men of Honor, an group that university officials say has never been authorized by or affiliated with the school.

The search for the other missing student has been suspended for the evening, and will resume tomorrow.

Multiple news outlets in and around Petersburg, VA. are reporting that the disappearance of Virginia State University freshmen Jauwan Holmes and Marvell Edmondson is tied to an initiation ritual of a non-authorized campus organization, the Men of Honor. According to reports, Holmes and Edmonson were among a group of students who attempted to swim the Appomattox River last Saturday shortly after midnight, but have not been seen since.

In an interview with the HBCU Digest, Virginia State spokesperson Thomas Reed said that the Men of Honor is not and has never been a sanctioned group on the campus. Reed also clarified details surrounding a mandatory curfew for residential students last night.

“Family members, friends and classmates spoke, and as could be expected, many people were emotional. Frustrations boiled over, fingers were being pointed out of anger or frustration. A group of individuals talked about going to the river to look for the two students. That’s the last thing we want at this point. We don’t want this to turn into anything more for our students than it already is.”

Reed said VSU Police have been assisting with the operation, and are among five law enforcement agencies working on the effort. Chesterfield County Police are leading the investigation and search effort, which today continued for the third straight day. According to Reed, no indication has been given on how long the search will continue.

“Family members are obviously distraught,” said Reed. “Its just unimaginable. We just want to offer as much support as we can to help lighten their burden.”

Virginia State officials say that the Office of Student Counselors will be available for as long as needed. On Twitter, VSU students and supporters offered words of prayer and hope.

There are so many different stories about the situation at VSU. Either way they’re in my prayers!

— Treveyonne (@_lannoorraaaa) April 22, 2013

ion kno Marvell Edmondson n Jauwan Holmes like dat but ima show my respect ima pray 4 dem 2 hav a safe return 2 campus #Salute #VSU #Respect

— Big Curt (@ForeverYoung757) April 22, 2013

NBC12.com – Richmond, VA News