CHIPPEWA COUNTY, MI— Human remains have been found in Chippewa County.
Last fall, the Sault Ste. Marie Police Department received a missing person complaint and followed evidence to a remote location north of Paradise. The subject’s vehicle was found stuck and out of view of a two-track road. Officials believe the person had been missing for about a month at that point.
Police and Sheriff’s deputies flew a drone and started a ground search, but winter hit and the location became inaccessible. Agencies have been planning a spring search since that time.
Last week, Michigan State Police flew a helicopter and drone over a 1,000-acre area. It was located on state land and surrounded by several thousand more acres of state land, which included ridges, swamps, and ponds. Four K-9 cadaver teams were sent in before a large-scale ground search began this past Monday. Approximately 35 law enforcement and search and rescue members were involved.
On Tuesday, officials discovered human remains deep in a wooded area. The MSP Crime Lab and a unit from NMU’s Center for Forensic Science were called to assist.
Police are waiting for confirmation of the victim’s identity.
The following agencies assisted in the week-long search:
- Sault Ste Marie PD
- Chippewa Co Sheriff’s Office
- MSP, Aviation, K-9, Crime lab
- Bay Mills Tribal PD
- Trident
- MI DNR
- U.S. Border Patrol
- U.S. Custom and Border Protection (CBP)
- USFS LE
- MI SAR
- NMU FROST
- Chippewa County Central Dispatch and Emergency Management
