Kelly McWhirter: Hunter finds body of missing Michigan woman 40 days after primary suspect husband takes own life during arrest attempt
SAGINAW COUNTY, MICHIGAN: A hunter discovered a body that is presumed to be that of a Michigan woman who had been missing for more than a month, according to the police.
On October 18, when authorities attempted to arrest him, the husband of Kelly McWhirter, the primary suspect in her disappearance, took his own life.
Deputies discovered a bloodied body bag in Steven Higgins' truck
The last communication from Kelly McWhirter, aged 60, was on October 14 at her residence in Flushing, close to Flint.
Initially considered missing, Kelly McWhirter's husband, Steven Higgins, 57, later emerged as a suspect when deputies discovered blood and signs of an attempted cleanup at their residence.
On October 18, he was sighted, and as deputies closed in, he took his own life by shooting himself.
Sheriff Chris Swanson reported that deputies discovered a bloodied body bag in the bed of Higgins' truck, accompanied by a shovel. However, there was no indication of McWhirter at the scene.
The body had significant trauma and matched victim’s clothing
At approximately 1:30 pm on Wednesday, November 29, deputies received a 911 call from a hunter.
The hunter had discovered a "badly decomposed" body in a wooded area near Ryan and Sharon roads in St Charles, situated approximately 30 miles northwest of the victim's residence, as reported by ABC 12, according to Sheriff Swanson.
The body displayed "significant trauma," according to Sheriff Swanson. However, the identification of McWhirter's remains will require dental records and DNA testing, a process that may extend over several days
“I wish I could do more but I’m encouraged that we are on the right track to give Kelly the closure that she deserves,” Swanson said in a video posted to Facebook.
Kelly McWhirter was a longtime secretary for the Sheriff’s Office
Kelly McWhirter, who served as a longtime secretary for the Sheriff's Office, retired from that role but later returned to work for the Board of Commissioners office.
Sheriff Swanson previously described McWhirter as a “beautiful soul.”
“We are as a family at the sheriff’s office very close to Kelly,” he said. “There’s people that have become not only co-workers but very dear friends, and it is earth-shattering.”