Post-mortem investigation revealed that a family who died in the northern Michigan woods were killed by exposure to the elements.
The couple from Bay City and their 8-month old son were found alongside their disabled vehicle in the cold -- without shoes -- in a remote area of the northern Michigan woods.
Family and friends searched for days, posted fliers and asked the community to watch out for them after the couple seemingly disappeared without a trace. A snowmobiler Saturday spotted their truck in Ogemaw County.
Outside it were the bodies of Amanda Pomeroy, 32, Michael Dougherty, 35, and Jacob Dougherty, 8 months. None of the three were wearing shoes.
The scene seemed to show that the vehicle was stuck on a rock and Dougherty was attempting to dislodge it, police said. But why everyone in the family was outside in the cold without even basic gear is unknown.
"No foul play was involved," Ogemaw County Undersheriff Paul Frechette concluded after a Wednesday autopsy of the bodies. "The deaths are the result of tragic circumstances of the family being stranded out in the winter elements."
A Go Fund Me has raised $18,000 for the family.
"We would like to thank everyone who has helped search, pass out flyers, who rode the trails daily sometimes a couple times a day in the search for this family. But as you may have heard, Doug, Amanda, and baby Jacob were found as angels. We are doing what we can to help this family as they have to plan a funeral for 3 of their family members. We hope to raise enough to cover the funeral costs so this family doesn't have to worry about that along with their grieving," the organizer wrote.
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According to the Go Fund Me, the couple has a surviving daughter.
The organizer later added that family members are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support.
"I just met with Lisa, one of Doug's sisters, and she is so so grateful for the outpouring of support from all around. Thank you to all that have donated and shared. Much love to you all," she wrote.