Law enforcement officials failed to find evidence of missing ISU student Jon Lacina on Saturday in Lake LaVerne

A conglomeration of around 30 local, county and Minnesota officials methodically searched the lake for more than six hours.

Director of Public Safety Jerry Stewart said the purpose of the search was to ensure that Lacina’s body is not in the lake.

“They’re searching today not based on any tip, but to rule out the possibility,” Stewart said.

Authorities have previously searched the lake twice — once utilizing divers and once with underwater cameras — but were unable to determine the lake’s contents conclusively because of ice.

The recent warmer temperatures helped to melt the remaining ice on the lake, allowing divers to undertake and complete a more thorough search.

Story County Sheriff Paul Fitzgerald used his connection with the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office in Minnesota to bring in special sonar equipment useful in determining the contents of bodies of water.

“After today, we will be able to say with 99 percent certainty that he’s not in the lake,” Fitzgerald said.

In the morning, teams of four searchers donned dry suits and walked through the shallow parts of the lake systematically, finding bicycles but no sign of Lacina.

Later, a boat equipped with sonar equipment mapped the deep areas of the lake, which can reach up to 15 feet deep.

Another piece of sonar equipment was dropped into the lake in order to map smaller areas and give more clarity to objects of interest.

Divers were then sent in to analyze areas of interest, which were determined to be items such as tree stumps, debris or parts of the lake’s aeration system.

Stewart said the investigation into Lacina’s disappearance is ongoing, although he said there are no significant leads currently. Investigators have not ruled out foul play or voluntary disappearance, although Stewart said Lacina’s family and friends strongly believe Lacina would not have chosen to disappear.

Several people have turned in cell phones found in yards and ditches, but all of them were traced back to owners other than Lacina. Stewart said officers continue to check snow piles on a daily basis and will continue to do so until the snow has melted.

Lacina, senior in graphic design, was last seen at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Jan. 22 leaving 300 Stanton Ave. His father, Tom, reported him missing to ISU Police on Jan. 30 after repeated attempts to contact him were unsuccessful.

A reward of $10,000 is being offered by Jon Lacina’s parents for any information leading to the his location. Anyone with information is still encouraged to call to call the ISU Police at 515-294-4428.