Body found in Livonia creek identified as Westland man who went missing in 2024
Police respond to discovery of a body in a Livonia creek.
(FOX 2) - Livonia police have confirmed the identity of a body found in a creek near Hines Drive.
The individual is James Sanford, a resident of Westland, according to the Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office.
The backstory:
Livonia police responded to the area of Hines Drive and Levan Road on March 28 following reports of a body being found in a creek.
They described the body as being "severely decomposed" and partially underwater in the creek.
The discovery was made around 6:13 p.m. They were wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and dark-colored jeans and black shoes.
'Severely' decomposed body found in creek near Hines Drive
When officers arrived, they found the "severely decomposed" body of an apparent man, partially submerged in the water.
Big picture view:
In an update from Livonia police on Thursday, the medical examiner used dental records to verify Sanford's identity.
The cause of his death is under investigation. However, police did verify Sanford suffered from dementia and was 75 years old when he was reported missing to the Westland Police Department in April 2024.
The Source: A news release and previous reporting was cited for this story.