In October of 2025, we heard about the tragic story of Antonio and Giuseppe Mittiga, who drowned in the Cuyahoga River on March 24, 1924, as they were trying to return home before dark and decided to take a shortcut going down the river.

We decided we wanted to go out to the Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent, Ohio, to locate the graves of Antonio and Giuseppe to pay our respects. It was not a simple discovery, as the plots and markers were not recorded on Find-A-Grave for the brothers; however, we did locate the family plot and expanded our search from there.

The Standing Rock Cemetery is just northeast of Kent on Rt 43. It is a giant cemetery with over 16,000 documented internments. This cemetery is the final resting place of many from Kent, Ohio, including the founder, Marvin Kent. Although this post and our video are located at the Standing Rock Cemetery, the main focus is about the Mittiga brothers and our search for their grave.

The tragedy of the Mittiga brothers (Antonio and Giuseppe Mittiga) remains one of the most heartbreaking stories in the history of Kent, Ohio. The brothers were known for being inseparable, often seen walking home together after spending the day in town. On the evening of the tragedy, they realized darkness was falling faster than expected and feared being out too late. Hoping to save time, they made the fateful decision to take a shortcut that would forever change their family and their community.

Rather than walking the longer route home, the boys chose to travel by the Cuyahoga River. The river was still dangerous from winter’s grip, with chunks of ice floating along the surface and the water running fast and cold. Believing they could make the trip quickly, the brothers borrowed a small boat without fully understanding the danger they were about to face.

As the boat moved into the river, the conditions quickly became overwhelming. The freezing water, shifting ice, and strong current created a deadly situation. At some point during their attempt to cross, the boat capsized. The icy water swallowed them almost instantly, leaving no witnesses behind to tell exactly how their final moments unfolded.

When the brothers failed to return home that night, their family grew increasingly worried. As hours passed with no sign of them, panic took hold. Local authorities were contacted, and an urgent search began along the riverbanks and surrounding areas where the boys were last seen.

Volunteers joined law enforcement and searched through the night with lanterns and flashlights. The air was filled with dread as voices echoed across the water calling the boys’ names. Boats moved slowly through the dark river while others searched on foot, scanning the cold water for any sign of movement.

Despite the tireless efforts, the night search came to an agonizing end with no answers. Families and volunteers waited in silence as the river gave up nothing. Hope clung on through the darkness, even as fear grew heavier with every passing hour.

The following day brought devastating news. The discovery of the Mittiga brothers' bodies in the Cuyahoga River confirmed everyone's deepest fears. The discovery shattered the community and left an entire town grieving the loss of two young lives taken too soon.

Kent fell into mourning almost instantly. Neighbors gathered in stunned silence, churches filled with prayers, and businesses closed their doors in respect. Support surrounded the family, yet nothing could ease the unimaginable pain of their loss. Once familiar and peaceful, the river now carried a shadow of sorrow.

In the years that followed, the tragedy became etched into local memory. Many residents refused to look at the river the same way again. The story of the brothers became a warning passed down through generations about how quickly ordinary moments can turn into irreversible loss.

Today, the tragedy of the Mittiga brothers stands as one of Kent’s most somber stories. It is remembered not only for the sorrow it brought but also for the powerful bond between two brothers who stayed together until the very end. Their story continues to live on in quiet remembrance along the banks of the Cuyahoga River, where the water still flows beneath the weight of history.