Dog Held Vigil Over Missing Teen’s Body – Police Rule April Millsap’s Death A Homicide
April Millsap walked her border collie almost every day along the the Macomb Orchard Trail where a homicide investigation is in full force on Friday. April Millsap, 14, was reported missing after her daily walk exceeded the normal 30-minute time span. April’s mother called the police when her daughter didn’t return an hour after she left home. According to the Detroit Free Press, April’s body was found by joggers on Thursday night with the help of April’s dog.
Armada Police Chief Howard Smith told Click on Detroit that Millsap’s dog stayed with her body until the two joggers passed by at around 8:20 on Thursday evening. The joggers realized something was amiss when the dog approached them. “They thought the dog was trying to attack them,” Lt. Michael Shaw of Michigan State Police told reporters. The dog returned to the drainage ditch and then back to the joggers. That is how April’s body was discovered.
Chief Smith said that there was no outward sign of trauma or sexual assault. Due to the ongoing investigation, no more details were disclosed that could explain why the teen’s death was declared a homicide. In a statement, the chief explained:
“I will say that there were no gun or knife wounds, but we are investigating a possible homicide. We believe that the incident occurred between 4 pm and 8 pm yesterday. The woman appeared to be dressed pretty normal, not in any specific activewear, but it did appear that she had been using the trail for recreational purposes.”
Police believe this homicide is an isolated incident. Chief Smith said, “We don’t believe that there is any immediate danger to the public.” Armada Village is a normally safe town. Smith said he couldn’t recall the last time the village dealt with a homicide. All total, about 30 local, county, and state investigators worked together to piece the homicide investigation together. The Macomb County Medical Examiner said that her death was not an accident.
“She walked on that trail every day,” Lt. Shaw said. The community is devastated. Grief counseling will be available for April’s peers at the Armada Middle School from 9 am until 12 pm this Saturday.
Two potential witnesses may have seen something that could help with the homicide investigation. Michigan State Police say a gray painters’ type van with dents was observed at the crime scene. Two white men were in the vehicle. According to CBS Detroit, police do not know how or if the van fits into the case, but they would still like to talk to the two men.
Police are asking that anyone with any information about April Millsap’s homicide leave a tip by calling 877-616-4677 or by using the online tip form.
[Photo via Twitter]
