Penn State student found dead in Florida area pond

Gregory Martin was going to receive his diploma this May after completing his last graduation requirement, an internship at the Bonita Springs Golf and Country Club in Florida.

Instead, his parents will receive his diploma on April 18 at his memorial service.

After a December accident, the body of the recreation and parks management major was found in a North Naples pond.

Martin, 23, was last seen Sunday, Dec. 15, by friends at the Ridgeport Liquors Restaurant Plaza Pub, a club in the area, said Damian Housman, public information officer for Collier County Sheriffs Office.

When he did not return home that night or report to work the next morning, his parents notified police, the Collier County Sheriff's Office said.

Martin's friends retraced his steps on Dec. 17 and found some of his business cards floating in a pond, said Frank Guadagnolo, Martin's adviser and an associate professor in recreation and park management.

Divers scoured the pond, but found nothing. On Friday, Dec. 20, Martin's body surfaced in the pond and was discovered by sheriff's office personnel, Collier police said.

Although the coroner determined that Martin died by drowning, police have not yet determined if his death was accidental. Police are currently calling the death unattended, Collier County Sheriff's Office said.

"Unattended death is a term that we use that basically applies to accidental deaths," Housman said.

There are no indications of foul play, Collier police said, but authorities are waiting on toxicology reports and the medical examiner's conclusion.

Martin's roommate of four years, Scott Bullock, described Martin as a hard worker who also found time for fun.

"He made a lot of sacrifices to get his work done and he was well liked by everyone," he said. "He had a lot of friends."

Guadagnolo also noticed Martin's academic potential while he attended the University.

"He was a wonderful student, and academically, an honor student," he said. "Greg loved Penn State."