Family: Body in reservoir is missing BC student

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. (WHDH) -- Police say a body pulled from the Chestnut Hill Reservoir on Wednesday appears to be that of missing Boston College student Franco Garcia.

“It’s not something I can put into words of how it feels,” said Genoveva Tavera, a friend of the Garcia’s.

Garcia, 21, disappeared on Feb. 22. He was last seen at Mary Anne’s Bar in Cleveland Circle. Authorities say he was found just before 8 a.m. Wednesday when a man walking his dog called 911 to report a body floating in the water.

“The body, again, is a male body. Appears to be somewhere between the ages of 20 and 30. And it fits -- the body fits -- the general description of Franco Garcia,” said Suffolk County District Attorney, Daniel Conley.

Garica’s disappearance set off a massive search effort over the past several weeks, including state police divers searching the reservoir several times, but their efforts came up empty handed.

“He’s a very nice kid. A very nice human being,” said Antonio Espinosa, Garcia’s uncle. “The best nephew, the best son, the best brother.”

Relatives gathered at Garcia’s West Newton home after the body was discovered. Garcia’s parents were too distraught to comment.

“Why, just why, you know, why? Such a good kid. Why would this happen to somebody? What would this happen to anybody,” said Daniella Espinosa, Garcia’s cousin.

Roughly 250 friends and family gathered at St. Mary's in Waltham to pay their respects to Garcia. They say they’ve found a bit of comfort now that his body has been found, but that even more questions have come up.

"Just the hurt that the family's going through right now. But our prayers are with them and we're persevering for them," said Mary Perez, a friend.

"It's hard. It's impossible to even describe how the mother and the father feel because they were having great hopes to find him alive," said Genoveva Tavera.

The District Attorney said autopsy results -- which are expected later this week -- will determine the cause of death.

Grief counselors are at the Boston College campus for any students that need someone to talk to.

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