Missing Benedict College Student Found Dead In Pond

LANCASTER, SC — The body of a missing college student in Columbia was found in a Lancaster County pond.

Jerell White, 22, was last seen in the early morning hours of July 5 after leaving a Fourth of July party. His remains were discovered Saturday morning, Lancaster County Sheriff's Office spokesman Doug Barfield said.

White was a student at Benedict College. News outlets reported that an autopsy will be performed to determine how he died. The State Law Enforcement Division is assisting with the investigation. (For more local news, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

A GoFundMe account has been created to help the family with funeral expenses. The account creator, Ashley Frazier, said White was an "amazing, gifted, and talented young man."

"Big thanks to all who have already given by helping to search for him, bringing drinks, ice, food, and words of comfort," Frazier said.

NBC Charlotte posted on Facebook a video of White's family holding a press conference after his body was found.

WATCH LIVE: family of Jerell White holds a press conference after the 22-year-old's body was found this morning https://t.co/ESYo4tZyN3
— NBC Charlotte (@wcnc) July 8, 2017

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