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More than a month later, a body identified as Thompson was found Sunday in a ventilation system at a performing arts facility at Macomb Community College in Michigan.
The discovery came after a foul smell began to come through the vents, college campus police said in an initial press release.
“There is no reason to suspect foul play,” Macomb College Police Chief William Leavens said.
College police said they are awaiting a cause of death from the Macomb County coroner.
In Facebook posts to her local community throughout November, Shelby Thompson, the late father-of-two’s sister, asked for help finding her brother.
She said this in a post which showed CCTV footage of Thompson leaving her flat at around 5.41pm on October 25 and was last heard from via text message at around 9.40pm.
Ms. Thompson said she went to local hospitals, prisons and police departments to try to find her brother but was unsuccessful.
“Never in his life has he been without contact with our family for more than 24 hours, not once,” she wrote in her appeal.
Missing poster created by Thompson’s sister
(Shelby Thompson/Facebook)
“This is completely unusual for my brother.”
A GoFundMe page for a memorial service set up by a person claiming to be Thompson’s cousin said he was the father of two young children.
“Jason was loved by many people and his family has been through a lot over the past month while he has been missing,” the page said after Thompson was found dead.
Thompson is not affiliated with the college, spokeswoman Jeanne M. Nicol told NBC News. She couldn’t say how he got into the performing arts building because the investigation is ongoing.
“The college community extends its deepest condolences to Mr. Thompson’s family and friends at this difficult time,” added Ms. Nicol.
Classes at the college have been canceled through next week and the performing arts building remains closed.
Student Anna Venhuizen told Fox17 that it will be “really strange” to return to class after the tragic discovery.
Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, where Thompson’s body was reportedly found
(Google Maps)
“I could have just walked past where it was for the last few weeks,” Ms Venhuizen said.
“I could have walked right past a body in the building and not noticed.”
Thompson was reported missing to Sterling Heights police on Nov. 1, less than a week since they last saw him.
Police were saddened that their investigation into this missing person case was concluded in this manner.
“Sterling Heights detectives have exhausted all resources and leads in attempting to locate Mr. Thompson,” said Lt. Mario Bastianelli, public information officer, told The Independent.
“We received information from our law enforcement partners at Macomb Community College regarding Mr. Thompson’s unfortunate discovery. Our hearts and prayers are with the family on the loss of their loved one.”
The Independent has contacted the Sterling Heights Police Department and the Macomb Community College Police Department for more information.
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