Search Complete, Campus Mourns Loss of Two Students    

1 p.m. Update

The Galveston Police Department has notified Texas A&M-Galveston officials that remains believed to be that of senior Texas A&M Maritime Academy Cadet Brandon Lee Perlowski have been discovered on Pelican Island near the Galveston Campus. Identification has not yet been confirmed. Additional details will not be provided.

In another, separate incident Thursday night, marine biology student Wesley Jerome Mallernee, class of ’23, was found deceased in his residence hall room. These incidents are not related. Neither incident posed a threat to campus safety and security.

We are deeply troubled and saddened by this news. This heartache comes at an especially challenging time for our community both nationally and globally. We are hurting and mourning with you. We send our deepest condolences to the families, friends and loved ones of both Aggies we have lost over the past 24 hours.

We would like to remind our students that counseling services are available on campus by calling (409) 740-4736 or at Building 3030, Suite 104 on campus. Faculty and staff should contact the Work/Life Solutions Program for counseling assistance. Additional resources may become available over the next several hours. Faculty should check university email for additional communication.

Additional information and resources will be communicated in coming days. The press briefing previously scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29, 2021 is canceled.

Initial Release:

Thursday evening, Texas A&M University at Galveston was notified of a missing student, Cadet Brandon Perlowski, Class of 2021. We are supporting the search efforts of the Galveston Police Department in a search on the Galveston Campus and immediate vicinity.

Galveston police are currently searching the north side of campus with a K-9 Search and Rescue unit. Search efforts led by Galveston police began last night with the support of Texas City Police, U.S. Coast Guard and around 200 student cadets. Efforts were suspended overnight and began again this morning around 9 a.m.

Campus officials were notified on Thursday that Perlowski was missing. The same day Perlowski’s vehicle was found abandoned on the north side of campus in an area frequented by students. He has not been heard from by friends or family since Wednesday evening. Additional details are not yet known at this time.

The Galveston Police Department and Texas A&M University at Galveston will hold a virtual press briefing at 3 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 29, 2021. Media should email newsmedia@tamug.edu for Zoom meeting information.  

In another, separate incident Thursday night, a student was found deceased in his residence hall room. These incidents are not related. Neither incident poses a threat to campus safety and security.

We mourn with our campus community in these tragic incidents that have come at an especially challenging time nationally and globally. We would like to remind our students that counseling services are available on campus by calling (409) 740-4736 or at Building 3030, Suite 104 on campus.

We hold our Aggie by the Sea family especially close today, and every day.