Former GVSU quarterback found dead

Senior Quarterback, Cullen Finnerty, runs the ball while the Lakers tackle North Dakota on Saturday advancing to the semifinals. GVSU defeated North Dakota 30-20.
GVL / Nicole Bernier

Senior Quarterback, Cullen Finnerty, runs the ball while the Lakers tackle North Dakota on Saturday advancing to the semifinals. GVSU defeated North Dakota 30-20. GVL / Nicole Bernier

Ryan Jarvi

The body of former Grand Valley State University quarterback Cullen Finnerty was found Tuesday night wearing a camouflaged jacket and fishing waders in the woods less than a mile north of where he disappeared.

There were no signs of injuries or foul play, according to Lake County Sheriff Robert Hilts. An autopsy will be performed.

Finnerty, 30, was fishing alone Sunday night near Baldwin, Michigan, about 65 miles north of Grand Rapids, when he vanished along the Baldwin River, leaving behind few clues. Authorities said he was dropped off by family members near Bray Creek State Forest Campground, close to where Finnerty’s family owns a cabin.

Hilts told the AP that Finnerty’s family members were worried he “might be having some kind of a mental episode,” which may have caused him to flee into the woods.

Dennis Robinson, Lake County undersheriff, told the Ludington Daily News, “(Finnerty) talked to his wife on the phone and told her he had concerns about people following him and he was getting off the river.”

Finnerty led GVSU to multiple NCAA Division II championships in 2003, 2005 and 2006.

Search-crews included members from the sheriff’s office, local firefighters, the Michigan State Police and current and former Grand Valley football players and staff.

Finnerty was married with two small children.

[email protected]