Bodies unearthed in Portage woods those of Gary and Laura Johnson
Updated Feb 19, 2021;
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PORTAGE, MI The bodies of two people found buried in Gourdneck State Game Area last Friday have been identified as Gary and Laura Johnson, police confirmed.
The couple, both in their mid-60s, were last seen alive Wednesday, Feb. 3, Portage Public Safety Chief Nicholas Armold told MLive last week.
Armold said Monday. Feb. 15, the manner of death will be listed as a homicide.
“We hope to present the case to the prosecutor’s office in the next 24-48 hours,” he said.
A welfare check Tuesday morning, Feb. 9 at the couple’s home, in the 2300 block of Romence Road, turned quickly into a missing persons case. By Thursday, the case had pivoted toward a homicide investigation, Armold said.
Bodies belonging to missing couple unearthed in west Michigan park
By Associated Press
The deaths of Gary and Laura Johnson will be listed as homicides, authorities said Monday.
Their bodies were unearthed Friday at Gourdneck State Game Area in Portage, about three miles from their home.
Police entered the home last Tuesday and found signs of violence after Gary’s employer said he had not logged on for work, Portage Public Safety Director Nick Armold said last week.
The couple’s 27-year-old son is in custody on other charges. Police said he was found in a storage unit at an apartment building and had his parents’ car.