Friends, Family On-Foot Search for Missing Boston College Student Yields Nothing

It was a long day for many at the Chestnut Hill Reservoir Monday. 

But for the family and friends of missing Boston College student Franco Garcia, the search effort didn't end . 

According to Rachele Reis, one of Garcia's friends and band mates, roughly 40 volunteers gathered at the reservoir yesterday around 3 p.m. to start a foot search of the Chestnut Hill/ area. Groups of 3-4 volunteers split up into four "quadrants" to search Lake Street, Beacon Street, Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill Avenue, Foster Street and Washington Street.

After roughly three and a half hours, the search ended with negative results, Reis said.

, when he was last seen at Mary Ann's Bar in Cleveland Circle (Brighton). Garcia was a chemistry major and clarinet/trombone player for the Boston College Marching Band, Symphonic Band and Pep Band. 

Since his disappearance, the Boston College community and Garcia family have worked day and night to spread the word about the missing student. .

In an email sent to Newton Patch Monday night, Reis explained that Garcia's family organized yesterday's foot search, and word was put out via the Missing Since 2/21: Franco Garcia Facebook group. 

Although it has only been live for a few days, the Facebook group already has more than 2,200 members. 

In addition to Facebook, the friends of Garcia also created a Twitter account Monday (@FindFranco) to spread the word about Garcia's disappearance. 

Friends and family had also hoped to organize a vigil for tomorrow. Although that did not come through, Reis said Boston College has encouraged students to attend one of the campus Masses to pray for Garcia's safe return. Those Masses will be held at the following locations/times:

• Cushing Chapel (in the Connell School of Nursing) - Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday at noon
• St. Joseph's Chapel (Upper Campus) - Monday-Thursday at 10 p.m.
• St. Mary's Chapel (Jesuit Residence) - Monday-Friday at 8 a.m., 11 a.m., and noon
• Conte Forum (1st Floor Media Room) - Wednesday at 11:30 a.m.

In addition, a post in the Facebook group said a Mass dedicated to Garcia was held at St. Mary of Waltham Monday night. Garcia works at a CVS in Waltham. 

. Their search consisted of a sonar scan of the bottom of the reservoir, a surface scan with a helicopter and a search with divers in the water.

The State Police search also came up negative. However, dive crews will be back in the water this morning around 8 to finish a full scan of the reservoir.