Body of missing 13-year-old girl found on shorline in Berrien County
A sad update to a search for a missing 13-year-old girl in the waters of Lake Michigan at Warren Dunes State Park. Police say they have recovered her body.
The girl was last seen in the water at Warren Dunes around 9 p.m. Thursday. There was a search, which was suspended after nightfall and resumed this morning.
Search crews from local fire departments along with the Department of Natural Resources and Berrien County Sheriff’s Department started looking for the missing 13-year-old at 6 this morning.
Around 12:30 this afternoon, Berrien County sheriff’s officials confirmed they found the body of a female that came to shore farther down the beach.
People visiting the dunes last night noticed the flags on the beach were green around 7 and 8 p.m., indicating the water is safe to swim. However, a DNR official says staffing is short in some of these areas. He also says we have to be aware of how powerful Lake Michigan can be.
“But we have to remember that the Great Lakes at any given time can produce just as dangerous of a situation as what you would find in the ocean,” said Lt. Gerald Thayer.
Police aren't releasing the girl's name because of her age.
The following release was issued by the Berrien County Sheriff's Office on Friday afternoon.
On Thursday July 30, 2020 at approximately 8:57 PM first responders were called to the Warren Dunes State Park for a water rescue involving a 13 year old female that was missing and last seen in the water. First Responders and the U.S. Coast Guard conducted a search for the victim but were unable to locate the female in the water. The search was suspended after dark and resumed the following morning.On Friday July 31, 2020, the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit and Dive Team along with the Lake Township Fire Department and Great Lakes Drone Company resumed the search for the 13 year old female. At approximately 12:36 PM Chikaming Township Police Department received information of a body that had washed up on the shoreline near Pier Street beach in Lakeside Michigan. Responding Officers were able to confirm this was the missing 13 year old female from Warrant Dunes State Park. Chikaming Township Fired Department was able to recover the body with the assistance of the Lake Township Fire Department and the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit and Dive Team.
VICTIM: A 13 year old female from Otsego Michigan. The name is not being released do the age of the victim.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this tragic event
