Authorities in Wyandotte believe they have recovered the remains of 25-year-old Tyler Bojanowski from the Detroit River, potentially ending a high-profile missing persons case that has gripped the community since early February.
Wyandotte Police Chief Archie Hamilton confirmed that officers recovered a body from the water at Dingell Park around 1:00 p.m. Monday following several citizen reports. While the Wayne County Medical Examiner’s Office has yet to issue a formal identification, investigators stated the physical description and clothing recovered at the scene align with the gear Bojanowski wore when he vanished on February 5.
“We fully suspect that the remains belong to Bojanowski,” Chief Hamilton stated, citing the match in physical evidence.
The search for Bojanowski began nearly two months ago after a series of erratic events. On the morning of February 5, a Melvindale police officer reportedly observed Bojanowski’s truck traveling recklessly at high speeds.
Shortly after, Allen Park Police (APPD) located the vehicle abandoned on Enterprise Drive near a Best Western hotel. The truck was found with a door open and airbags deployed, indicating a significant collision. Inside the vehicle, investigators discovered Bojanowski’s wallet and cell phone, but no sign of the driver.
The investigation shifted focus to Dingell Park after surveillance footage surfaced showing Bojanowski entering the park alone at approximately 6:30 a.m. on the day he disappeared. His mother, Nicole Dillon, confirmed her son’s identity in the video.
Further evidence surfaced when a citizen located Bojanowski’s passport under a gazebo near the park’s waterline. Chief Hamilton noted that the body was recovered in the same “relative area” where the passport was found. Security footage showed no other individuals entering or leaving the park during that window, leading police to believe foul play from an external party was unlikely.
The discovery brings a somber conclusion for the Bojanowski family. Dillon previously shared that her son had recently suffered a traumatic brain injury, requiring specialized care.
In a statement shared to a social media page dedicated to the search, a family representative expressed grief while criticizing the timing of the public release of information. “It is with heavy hearts that we share the body found today at Dingell Park is, in fact, Tyler,” the post read.
The Wyandotte Police Department continues to work with the medical examiner to determine the official cause of death. No further leads suggest the involvement of additional suspects at this time.
