Vehicles of some of the police agencies involved in an eastern Upper Peninsula search for human remains earlier last week. (Photo courtesy of the Chippewa County Sheriff's Office)

SAULT STE. MARIE — Late last fall, the Sault Ste. Marie Police Department received a delayed missing person’s complaint. Soo police and Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office received information and followed uncovered evidence to a remote location north of Paradise in Chippewa County, according to a sheriff’s office press release.

The subject’s vehicle was located stuck and out of view off a two-track road. Police determined the person had most likely been missing for approximately a month. City police and the sheriff’s department immediately started a ground search of the area and utilized a sheriff’s department drone. According to the press release, unfortunately, there was already a layer of snow in the area and within a short time winter hit and the location was no longer accessible.

Over the past several months, the two agencies had been planning a spring search. The Search and Rescue team put together a comprehensive map including many search zones within the search area. The location they were planning to search included an area of approximately 1,000 acres. This search area was focused on state land and surrounded by several thousand more acres of state land which included ridges, swamps and ponds.

The search was started by using the Michigan State police aviation unit last week as they flew a helicopter and a drone to search the area from above.

Four K-9 cadaver teams searched the area prior to the ground search. On, May 18, the large-scale ground search started, involving many law enforcement partners. Approximately 35 law enforcement and search and rescue members were involved. A command center was established and a briefing was conducted early that morning.

The ground search started shortly with assistance from K-9 units both May 18 & 19. On May 18, the search resulted in the discovery of some crucial evidence which was located deep into the wooded area. The ground search continued early on the morning of May 19, resulting in the discovery of human remains which were also located deep into the wooded area.

The Michigan State Police crime lab was requested and it responded to the scene. The Northern Michigan University Frost Anthropology unit was also called to assist.

The search continued last Wednesday and by the evening all resources were cleared of the area. Forensic confirmation on the identity of the victim is expected.

The following agencies assisted in the week-long search: Sault Ste. Marie Police Department, Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan State Police, aviation, K-9, Crime lab, Bay Mills Tribal Police Department, Trident, MI the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Custom and Border Protection, U.S. Forest Service LE, MI SAR, Northern Michigan University FROST and Chippewa County Central Dispatch and Emergency Management.

The