College Student, 22, on Night Out Didn't Return to His Cabin. He Was Found Dead in a Lake Days Later

Foul play is not suspected in connection with the death of 22-year-old Tanner Prentiss, authorities said

Tanner Prentiss, left, and Big Bear Lake, right.Credit : 

Big Bear Sheriffs Department; Getty Images

A California college student has been found dead in Big Bear Lake after he disappeared during a night out.

The body of Tanner Prentiss, 22, was found “in the water near the Pine Knot Marina” just before 10:30 a.m. local time on Monday, May 19, according to a news release by the Big Bear Sheriff Station.

The Santa Barbara County resident was last seen on Village Drive in Big Bear Lake around 12:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 17, but “did not return to his rental cabin” after “going out for the evening.”

Prentiss and several friends were visiting Big Bear Lake at the time of his disappearance, authorities said.

Two days later, his body was located “following an extensive search by deputies and the Sheriff’s Dive Team.” No foul play is suspected, officials said.

Marilyn Taylor, Prentiss’ grandmother, paid tribute on Monday to her late grandson in a post on Facebook. She described him as a “funny guy” who was “always smiling” and had “tons of friends.”

“Bless all of you who have supported this family during this time and the time we are about to share in the near future,” Taylor wrote, noting that her grandson was “charismatic, responsible and a really good person.” 

She added, “This loss is more than we can bear at this time.”

Prentiss was a student at the University of California at Santa Barbara, according to CBS affiliate KCAL-TV and CW affiliate KTLA.