Beloved Student From The Bronx Found Dead In Illinois Creek

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A late night of partying turned deadly for a teenager from the Bronx.

The 18-year-old, who attended college in Illinois, was found dead in a creek after a frat party.

On Tuesday, CBS 2's John Slattery went to the Bronx, where the student attended high school and is fondly remembered.

At Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy, students and teachers find it hard to believe that Brandon Landau is suddenly gone.

"Everybody is just as sad as can be. He was part of our school family," teacher Kathy McIver said.

McIver taught physical education and dance to Landau, an 18-year-old freshman at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Ill.

Authorities said Landau was found in a creek in a state park near Oregon, Ill., some 10 hours after attending a party with friends where arrests were made for intoxication. Investigators said Landau was found with his lower body in the water and his upper body across a log.

His parents left their Riverdale apartment house and traveled to identify the body and check on the investigation. His mother works as a school aid at the academy where the boy attended middle and high school.

"You put yourself in those shoes. It's the worst that can happen to a parent," Yudelka Patley said.

An autopsy was conducted Monday. The results were inconclusive, but preliminary tests showed intoxication.

"He was like a really nice kid, smart, nice," junior Christopher Ramirez said.

"He was a very nice guy; talented student. He was a very warm person to be around with," senior Leke Loshi added.

"Just a great student, great human being. Any parent would love to have Brandon as their son," McIver said.

It's a death half-way across the country that's rocked this school; a distant death, very close to home.

The coroner's office said it will take toxicology tests to determine the cause of death. That could take several weeks.

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