William CollierObituary, Death: Missing Mancelona woman discovered dead; one person in custody amid ongoing probe

William CollierObituary, Death – A woman who had been missing from Mancelona was discovered dead on Tuesday night, according to the Antrim County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities had been searching for 47-year-old Kymberlee Rogers since Saturday, June 7, following concerns raised by community members and her family.

Rogers had not been seen or heard from in weeks, prompting a family member to request a welfare check. Antrim County Undersheriff George Lasater stated that Rogers’ family believed it was highly unusual for her to go without contact for such an extended period. They also mentioned that she had physical limitations that made it difficult for her to walk long distances, raising additional concerns for her wellbeing.

Tips from residents helped guide the search. Individuals reported sightings of someone matching Rogers’ description, and search efforts were focused on those areas. Her body was eventually located near Scholl Road, close to where she was last known to be.

Rogers had reportedly been living in a camper in the woods east of Mancelona, sharing the space with another person. Her body was found in the same general area where she had gone missing. Undersheriff Lasater said the search team had been looking in a particular direction based on fresh information—and that information ultimately led them to Rogers.

Lasater revealed that the investigation also involved multiple law enforcement agencies and volunteer search and rescue teams. Drones were deployed to survey nearby bodies of water, and dive teams were brought in, though no findings resulted from those water searches.

In a strategic move to support the investigation, Lasater consulted a retired detective from Charlevoix County who had handled a similar case in 1989. The former detective provided insights and strategies that Lasater said proved valuable in directing the search efforts.

Shortly before Rogers’ body was found, a suspect was taken into custody. Although Lasater would not confirm whether the suspect was the same individual who had been living in the camper with Rogers, he acknowledged the timing of the arrest was significant. He added that he could not release details about the suspect’s identity or the nature of the charges until the person is formally arraigned.

Rogers’ body has been sent to Grand Rapids for an autopsy, which authorities believe will be instrumental in determining the circumstances of her death. The results of the autopsy will also help guide the legal process and the specific charges the suspect may face.

Undersheriff Lasater indicated that more details, including the name of the suspect and the outcome of the autopsy, would be shared with the public once the arraignment is complete. The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to piece together what led to Rogers’ death.