THE remains of a missing ex-cop may have been recovered after his gun and car were involved in a shooting before his disappearance, police said.
The decomposing body was found Thursday in a Detroit park two weeks after retired officer Stephon Hodo mysteriously went missing.
Police have found a decomposing body in a park that could belong to a missing retired officer[/caption]
Stephen Hodo went missing after his guns and car were involved in a shooting[/caption]
Hodo’s next-door neighbor, 29, was arrested after he used the ex-cops weapons in a shooting in Ferguson[/caption]
Detroit Police Chief James White said they are waiting for confirmation, but they believe the remains found at Stoepel Park are Hodo’s.
Hodo has been missing since a neighbor used his car and guns in a shooting on June 30, White said.
Surveillance footage shows the unnamed neighbor opening fire at a Ferguson home and tearing through the lawn in Hodo’s black sedan.
Police took the neighbor, 29, into custody and recovered Hodo’s belongings, but the ex-cop was nowhere to be found.
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The Detroit Police Department executed a search warrant at Hodo’s home and signs indicated that a struggle occurred.
Police searched the next-door neighbor’s house and determined a struggle likely occurred there as well.
Officials said they were looking to locate Hodo for his own safety.
“We’re going to let the medical examiner do their evaluation and see if we can identify the body that we found,” said told FOX 2.
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“Sadly, a lot of things are pointing to that it may in fact be our retired police officer.”
Police said their investigation led them to look into Stoepal Park, but have not indicated exactly what evidence brought them to the scene.
“It’s a really sad situation,” White told FOX 2 after explaining there are a lot of unknowns.
“That case has a lot to it. The (suspected) perpetrator shouldn’t have even been on the streets in my opinion.
The suspect was awaiting trial on charges of possession of methamphetamine and driving with a suspended license, court records show according to The Detroit News.
He also was arrested on gun charges in 2018.
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“Very tragic week for the Detroit Police Department, keep us in your prayers,” White said.
This incident is still under investigation.
