(WWJ/AP) Searchers from around Michigan are pledging to return to the Battle Creek area to look for the body of a woman who disappeared in late June.
Two people have been charged in the apparent death of 27-year-old Amber Griffin, including her boyfriend, 25-year-old Derek Horton.
About 30 volunteers worked together Sunday, some from as far away as Alpena, to try to find Griffin's body in Calhoun County.
The search included nationally certified volunteers from the Michigan Independent Search and Rescue Team, Alpena County Search and Rescue, as well as K-9 teams.
Cherie Parenteau assisted with her dog, Loki.
"There's a lot that goes into this. It's not just, 'Hey somebody's missing, can you go look for them.' ... The hardest part is not having answers for the family or sometimes not the answers they want," Parenteau told WWMT.
Would you try it? @WillWWMT wouldn't... I would... @HeinzKetchup_US pic.twitter.com/Il6UnxuxVk
— Callie Rainey (@callieWWMT) July 13, 2020
Griffin was last seen with Horton at a party early in the morning of June 23.
Horton reported her missing the next day after he claimed he saw her leave their home on Oneita Street at around midnight. However, police say evidence poked holes in the boyfriend's story.
"Eventually detectives located a crime scene in the city of Battle Creek. We found evidence that look like it was a violent assault that took place. And we believe assault took place with Griffin and Horton," Battle Creek Detective Sgt. Joel Case told reporters t
WOOD-TV reported Horton can allegedly be seen on surveillance video buying a shovel at a Battle Creek hardware store, and that police believe Horton killed and buried Griffin.
They just don't know where, and authorities say Horton — who remains jailed — won't offer any information.
Horton remains held without hond on an open murder charge. Also in custody is 27-year-old Julice Haggerty, who is charged with tampering with evidence and lying to a peace officer in a violent crime investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to call Calhoun County dispatch at 269-781-0911 or the Silent Observer anonymous tip line at 269-964-3888.
