James Sanford's cause of death remains under investigation
Credit: Westland Police Community Partnership/Facebook
NEED TO KNOW
- Michigan police have identified the remains of a man who was reported missing two years ago
- James Sanford of Westland was 75 and diagnosed with dementia
- His wife Pamela Sanford told a local news station that James became “agitated” when she tried to help him put on a coat before an outing, and left the home on foot
Authorities have identified mummified remains found in a creek as belonging to a Michigan man who was reported missing two years ago.
James Sanford of Westland was 75 years old when a missing person’s report was filed with the Westland Police Department in April 2024, the Livonia Police Department said in a press release on Thursday, April 2.
His body, which was located on March 28 just after 6 p.m near Hines Drive and Levan Road, was “greatly decomposed and mummified,” WDIV-TV Local 4 reported, citing police and other sources close to the investigation.
The police department said Sanford had been diagnosed with dementia, and that the Medical Examiner’s Office made a positive identification through dental records.
Sanford was wearing clothes similar to what he was last seen in, according to The Detroit News. The outlet described his clothing as a dark hooded sweatshirt, dark pants and black shoes.
His wife, Pamela Sanford, was the one who provided his dental records to assist with the search, WDIV-TV Local 4 reported.
The news station said when James left, he did so on foot and without critical medication.
“You think you prepare yourself for it, but when it comes up, it’s just a lot,” Pamela said while discussing the possibility of the dental records being a match prior to the positive ID.
“It tricks your mind,” she added.
She also reflected on the last time she saw him.
“He was walking out the back door, and I came out the front,” Pamela told Local 4 at the time. “He was gone that fast.”
During the interview, Pamela said she and James were about to go to a doctor’s appointment, but that her spouse became frustrated when she attempted to help him with his coat.
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“He got agitated because he didn’t want me to zip it up and then he’s like, ‘I’m going out the door,’ and I’m like, ‘Go ahead,’” she told the local news station.
His cause of death remains under investigation.
Anyone with additional information can contact the Livonia Police Department at 734-466-2340, or the Westland Police Department at 734-722-9600.
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