Search Continues for Student Swept Away in Apparent Hazing Ritual

Body of 19-year-old Marvell Edmonson found; crews searching for body of Jauwan Holmes

Searchers will be back out on Wednesday, looking for a 19-year-old Virginia State University freshman who went missing during what authorities say was a hazing incident.

Another student has already been found dead as a result of the incident.

Crews found the body of 19-year-old Marvell Edmonson of Portsmouth on Monday. They are looking for the body of Jauwan Holmes of Newport News.  

Police say the men were trying to cross the Appomattox River in Ettrick, Va., in Chesterfield County over the weekend when they were swept away.

Edmonson and Holmes had been taking part in an initiation ritual for a group called Men of Honor. The club is not sanctioned by VSU.

"It was part of a pledging, like, that was our last night," said student Christian Cavazos. "...They told us that if you stay on this path of rocks in the water that the water would never go higher than your chest."

Police made three arrests in the case. All three are charged with multiple counts of hazing.

Police are also looking for a fourth suspect.

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