DETROIT – The remains of a College for Creative Studies student have been recovered in Cancun, Mexico.
Alejandro Gonzalez, 20, was swept away in the current after helping rescue a friend who had been caught in a wave off the Caribbean Sea. His body was recovered Wednesday following a three-day search.
Gonzalez, a student at Detroit’s prestigious College for Creative Studies, was remembered by colleagues and friends as a passionate artist who actively worked to promote other artists in the community.
“He was always trying to recruit artists to show their work,” said Mia Gutch, who worked with Gonzalez at Germack in Detroit’s Eastern Market, where he served as a barista while pursuing his studies.
According to reports, Gonzalez was with friends near the Caribbean Sea on Sunday when one member of the group became caught in a wave. While successfully helping to rescue his friend, Gonzalez was pulled under by the current.
“He always put everybody else’s happiness and feelings before his,” said Mila Djordjeciv.
The Saginaw Township native’s family received confirmation Wednesday that search teams had recovered his body.
“I just want it to be known that he moved down here, and he was not alone. And he brought so, so, so many people together. And it’s been beautiful,” said Darcy Moran.
The College for Creative Studies is offering support services for students and staff affected by the loss. The campus community has described a somber mood as news of Gonzalez’s death spreads.
To assist the family with expenses, a spaghetti dinner fundraiser has been scheduled for Friday, April 25, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Sips 476, located at 6235 Gratiot Road in Saginaw. Additionally, a GoFundMe campaign has been established to help the family with costs related to returning Gonzalez’s remains home.