Full Notification

NEWS MEDIA INFORMATION REPORT


SUBJECT OF RELEASE: Voluntary Missing Person's body located

DATE AND TIME: January 26, 2017

LOCATION: Village of Edmore

AUTHORITY/CONTACT PERSON: Sheriff Michael J. Williams

On February 2, 2017, Sheriff’s deputies took a report of a missing 27 year old Edmore man. During the afternoon of February 22, 2017, the man was found deceased in a nearby woods.

Eric J. Hodge was reported by his roommate that he had not been seen since January 26th and his whereabouts was unknown. Hodge was originally from, and still had family, out of State. Those families were in contact with the Sheriff’s Office as well, for they had not heard from him either. At the time the report was taken there were no indications that Hodge was missing under suspicious circumstances, however the Sheriff’s Office continued to make attempts to locate and contact him.

On February 22, a physical search with the assistance of Mid-Michigan Working Dogs of Sheridan was conducted in a wooded area near the west end of Pine Street in Edmore where Hodge’s body was eventually discovered. The decision to search that area was made because that is the general area that Hodge was last seen and the Sheriff’s Office had information that Hodge was familiar with that wooded area.

The investigation continues and an autopsy will be performed. At this time, Hodge’s death does not appear to be suspicious in nature and there is no threat to area residents.