Young Man Found Dead After Woman Witnesses 'Body Transfer' Near Busy Sterling Heights Intersection
STERLING HEIGHTS (WWJ) - Police are investigating after a man was found dead inside his car along a busy road in Sterling Heights.
The grim discovery was made around 11:45 p.m. Wednesday near the CVS Pharmacy at Hall and Hayes roads after police received a 911 call about a suspicious incident in progress, according to Sterling Heights Police Chief Michael Reese.
"The caller was stating that she observed two white males remove a body, an unconscious individual at the time, from their vehicle and proceed to put it in a Jeep directly next to them," Reese told WWJ's Scott Ryan. "After they placed the individual in the car, the two suspects entered their vehicle and then fled the area."
Officers quickly responded to the CVS parking lot and found the victim lying in the back seat of a black Jeep. He was dead.
"The body appeared to still be warm to officers when they arrived at the scene," said Reese. "He's a white male, appears to be anywhere from 18 to 20 years of age. He had no ID on him at that time and we're still in the process of trying to identify him and notify his family."
Meantime, the woman who called 911 followed behind the fleeing subjects, relaying their every move to police.
"She was able to follow the vehicle southbound on Hayes until 18 Mile Road," said Reese. "We were able to locate the two subjects and detectives interviewed them. They are not under arrest at this time and charges will be forthcoming pending the results of the autopsy."
No obvious signs of foul play were observed at the scene, according to Reese, and investigators believe that drugs might have been involved.
"We don't know the cause of death, there were no signs of trauma on the body," he said. "It is possible that it was an overdose but we won't be able to confirm that until after the autopsy results."
Reese said it's not yet clear how the victim was acquainted with the two subjects.
An investigation is ongoing. Anyone who might have information on the case or who might know the victim is urged to contact police at 586-446-2801.
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