A body was discovered in the Rouge River in Michigan while police were searching for a missing 30-year-old man with autism, local authorities said.
The Dearborn Heights Police Department said in a statement that officers found the body near Hines Park at about 3 p.m. local time on Thursday, January 8. The discovery happened during an ongoing search for Yousif Hassan Naim, who was reported missing after he was last seen around 1:30 p.m. the day before.
Police said Naim’s family told officers he had difficulty speaking with strangers. He was last seen walking north on Beaverland Street in Detroit, according to authorities.
Officials said they have not formally identified the body but noted it appears to match Naim’s description. “We are awaiting further confirmation from the Wayne County Medical Examiner’s Office,” the department said, adding that the investigation is still ongoing.
The update came after what Dearborn Heights Mayor Mo Baydoun described as a 26-hour “massive search effort” involving more than 200 community members, according to a statement he shared on Facebook.
“My deepest condolences go out to the Naim family,” Baydoun said. “I ask that our entire city wrap them in love and prayer during this time.”
Dearborn Heights Police Chief Michael Guzowski told local NBC affiliate WDIV that he has spoken with Naim’s family and that officials will “continue to support the family throughout this process.”
“This is an extremely tragic situation,” Guzowski said.
Authorities have shared limited information about the investigation. Guzowski said there was no “indication that this person was in crisis.” He added that an advocate has been assigned to support the family.
