Police say 14-year-old girl is killed while out with dog in small town in Macomb County

7/25/2014

Members of the Macomb County Sheriffs Department and Michigan State Police search a wooded area off of Omo road south of Armada Ridge Round in Armada, Mich. Authorities said the body of a female has been found in a wooded area near a recreational trail. (AP Photo/Detroit News, Daniel Mears) DETROIT FREE PRESS OUT; HUFFINGTON POST OUT

ASSOCIATED PRESS

ARMADA, Mich. — A 14-year-old girl who didn’t return home after a walk with her dog was found dead in a wooded area, the victim of a homicide in a small Michigan community, police said Friday.

A body discovered Thursday night near a recreation trail in Macomb County was identified as April Millsap, Armada Police Chief Howard Smith told reporters.

April’s dog, which had stayed with the body, caught the attention of joggers using the Macomb Orchard Trail, about 35 miles northeast of Detroit. The body was 15 to 20 feet away.

The dog “kept coming up to them and going back into the woods,” said Lt. Michael Shaw, a state police spokesman.

A cause of death was not disclosed. Investigators were looking for a gray van that had dents and was occupied by two males.

April took her dog for a walk after 5:30 p.m. Thursday. Her parents became concerned when she was still gone 90 minutes later. Superintendent Mike Musary said she would have entered high school in September.

“We got about 30 investigators that are working on the scene right now. ... We are also receiving tips from other police departments across southeastern Michigan,” Smith said. “It’s a fantastic collaboration, which helps us move through.”

The trail at times was closed Friday due to the investigation.

“This is especially shocking,” bicyclist Mark Goerlich said.