Found Deceased MI - Leah Conner, Avoca in St. Clair County, March 7th, 2021

[Deleted member 102539]

Body of missing girl, 16, found on St. Clair County trail
George Hunter, The Detroit News
Mon, March 8, 2021, 7:20 PM·1 min read


Mar. 8—KENOCKEE TOWNSHIP, Mich. — A police tracking dog Sunday located the body of a 16-year-old girl near a bridge on a rural trail, a day after she was reported missing.

Leah Conner was reported missing about five hours after she reportedly left her home in Avoca in St. Clair County at about 11:20 a.m. to go for a walk, Michigan State Police said.

"Further investigation led troopers to the Trestle Bridge which is located on the Wadhams to Avoca trail, where an MSP K9 was used to conduct a search of the area," a state police press release said. " The victim was found a short time later."


The investigation is ongoing and an autopsy will be conducted, police said. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the MSP Lapeer Post at (810) 664-2905.

 

[Deleted member 102539]

MSP investigating after teen girl found dead in St. Clair County

'Suspicious' death of missing teen remains under investigation in St. Clair County

Family remembers teen found dead on Avoca Trail Sunday

Body of missing teen found near Avoca

 

[tarabull]

https://www.stclaircounty.org/offices/parks/forms/Brochures/Wadhams to Avoca Trail Brochure.pdf

 

[kathryann0504]

I live in MI and when I saw pictures of this trail and "high bridge" I immediately thought of Abby and Libby. I don't think they've determined what happened to her yet, but call it suspicious.

 

[Pyschsandi]

I just saw a video of a family member of Leah’s saying their town is small with around 3000 people. Just like Delphi. That’s eerily similar.

 

[Vabrownid1]

This is awful!

 

[Yemelyan]

Just here to say that "suspicious" in legal terms is not equivalent to "foul play." For death investigators, "suspicious" is a label given whenever a death has occurred that does not have immediately explainable circumstances. It does not necessarily mean that a homicide has occurred. It also encompasses accidents and suicides, for example.

In this case, it is out of place that a young teen would die out in public like this. So for those reasons alone, her death will be investigated and police label it "suspicious" until such a time as the autopsy is complete and a reason for the death is determined.

It has been a few days now and police have not released any additional info, so IMO they are waiting on the results of toxicology.

If they ultimately determine she died due to an accident, they may eventually release more info to the press. If due to self-harm, there may be no further information in order to respect the privacy of the family.

All MOO

 

[Pyschsandi]

Just here to say that "suspicious" in legal terms is not equivalent to "foul play." For death investigators, "suspicious" is a label given whenever a death has occurred that does not have immediately explainable circumstances. It does not necessarily mean that a homicide has occurred. It also encompasses accidents and suicides, for example.

In this case, it is out of place that a young teen would die out in public like this. So for those reasons alone, her death will be investigated and police label it "suspicious" until such a time as the autopsy is complete and a reason for the death is determined.

It has been a few days now and police have not released any additional info, so IMO they are waiting on the results of toxicology.

If they ultimately determine she died due to an accident, they may eventually release more info to the press. If due to self-harm, there may be no further information in order to respect the privacy of the family.

All MOO

I hope for the family that it was just an accident. It’s heartbreaking to find out that a family member has committed suicide or has been killed by someone. My prayers go out to the family and friends of this beautiful girl.

 

[monicadc74]

Interesting that Avoca, MI is only 5 hours away from Delphi, IN.

 

[Yemelyan]

IMO they are not thinking this is homicide at this time.

'Suspicious' death of missing teen remains under investigation in St. Clair County

An autopsy is planned this week, according to Michigan State Police Lt. Lizabeth Rich. A spokesperson for the St. Clair County Medical Examiner said Monday the autopsy was not scheduled.

“Investigators are still at work on this,” Rich said. “We aren’t discussing or releasing other details until after an autopsy. Any death in this manner is considered suspicious until an autopsy is completed. But we don’t feel there is any reason for the community to be alarmed. At this time, law enforcement does not feel there is a threat to the public.”

Rich said investigators have not ruled out the death being accidental. Conner was found near a 60-foot-high bridge that crosses Mill Creek.

 

[minazoe]

If she jumped off this bridge, that is so so sad. otherwise I am not seeing her on a path with the suicide on the path..it doesn't sound like something we have heard of before.. young woman commits suicide on nature trail.. then again we do have that one woman in Colorado who's car was found near the trail.

I don't know I guess anything is possible but on the face, she just doesn't seem like a suicide...she lives out in the country so covid is not as restricting for this girl...although maybe her school is closed..

sad , sad , sad... so sorry for the family. ;(. moo

 

[Yemelyan]

We don't know what happened here but I would be really careful about saying that anyone either "seems like a suicide" or "doesn't seem like a suicide." Sometimes people struggle in ways that others don't see or understand. A smile can hide a lot of pain, IMO.

 

[minazoe]

this is so true, you never know what someone could be going through...and all the circumstances still unknown. mOO

 

[UnapologeticallyAspie]

We don't know what happened here but I would be really careful about saying that anyone either "seems like a suicide" or "doesn't seem like a suicide." Sometimes people struggle in ways that others don't see or understand. A smile can hide a lot of pain, IMO.

A LOT.

mOO.

 

[sunshineray]

Just curious if anyone knows if the Monon Railway used to hook up with the CSX Railway?

 

[tarabull]

Monon Railroad

A timeline listed at wiki says in 2004 CSX stopped using Monon...fwiw...ETA: not sure if that answers your question but i sense its a good one...your question that is...feels like u r onto something.

 

[janewall]

Monon Railroad

A timeline listed at wiki says in 2004 CSX stopped using Monon...fwiw...ETA: not sure if that answers your question but i sense its a good one...your question that is...feels like u r onto something.

Good find @tarabull - and good thinking @sunshineray .

 

[Luckyzmom]

Prayers for family and friends. Rest in Peace Leah. You have left this world way too soon. MOO

 

[aust amateur slueth]

Just curious if anyone knows if the Monon Railway used to hook up with the CSX Railway?

good thinking. I wonder if they have a group similar to the delphi save monon high bridge group.

 

[Charlot123]

Interesting that Avoca, MI is only 5 hours away from Delphi, IN.

Also interesting that Abby was born in Sault Ste Marie, MI, according to FBI flyer.