A UC Santa Barbara student was found dead in the water near Pine Knot Marina at Big Bear Lake earlier today, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
Tanner Prentiss, 22, a third-year sociology major at UCSB, was located at 10:23 a.m. following a thorough search by deputies and the Sheriff’s Dive Team. Investigators acted on tips from individuals who had last seen him.
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Prentiss had traveled to Big Bear Lake for a cabin weekend with friends. After going out on the night of May 17, he didn’t return to the rental cabin. Authorities said he was last spotted around 12:30 a.m., walking northbound on the 4000 block of Village Drive toward Big Bear Boulevard.
Officials confirmed there’s no sign of foul play. The coroner’s office has now taken over the investigation.
Prentiss was part of the Snow Club staff, as highlighted in a social media post two weeks ago. The sheriff’s department shared undated photos of him when they first announced he was missing.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Tanner’s family, friends and all those who are affected by his loss. The family is requesting privacy as they navigate through this tragic incident,” the press release stated.
Arjun Malaviya, Prentiss’s roommate, launched a GoFundMe in collaboration with the Snow Club to support the Prentiss family. By 7:30 p.m. today, it had raised $1,211.
“It’s hard to put into words what Tanner meant to those who knew him. He truly was an angel on earth — kind, compassionate, and deeply selfless. He had this rare ability to bring light into any room, and he never hesitated to lift others up. Tanner believed in the good in people, even when they didn’t see it in themselves. That’s something I’ll always carry with me, and I know many others will too,” Malaviya shared on the fundraising page.
