Body of man missing for months after mysterious crash found in Detroit canal

DETROIT (WJBK) - WEB UPDATE (4-20-18): The memorial service for Terrance June will be held on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Mt. Vernon Missionary Baptist Church at 15125 Burt Road Detroit, 48223. There will not be a viewing. Those attending may wear his favorite colors, orange, blue, and yellow (wearing black is also welcome). Everyone will have the opportunity to speak/ share a memory. 

Almost two months later a family has finally discovered what happened to their loved one.

Terrance Hayes was seemingly involved in a hit-and-run crash back in February -- but then disappeared without a trace. His family says his body was found Friday in a canal of Rouge River, near Outer Drive and Schoolcraft Avenue. 

Back in February, the family was told Terrance ran away after hitting someone on I-96 and Telegraph, leaving his phone in his locked car. The story never added up for them, and they've been trying to figure out what happened to Terrance ever since. 

Now, sadly, they know where he is. 

"It's a lot of different emotions at one time. For one, I am relieved because we finally know where he is, and I'm sad because that's my brother and now he's gone and I won't speak to him again," Daija Stewart says.

But the next big question -- how did the 28-year-old end up in the canal?

"We still don't know exactly how he got where he was and what happened at the scene of the crash," Daija says.

'Like he vanished' man disappears after hit and run

The crash report shows at 11 that night, someone driving a car registered to Terrance rear ended another car on the highway. It shows both cars had to be towed away and the driver of Terrance's car ran. Michigan State Police say Terrance's cell phone was in the car. 

"I assume he was, for sure, in some sort of danger," says his brother Tarayl Stewart. "I think something happened to him before the crash. He probably wasn't even in the car; we don't even know. He wouldn't have a reason to run."

Police hadn't been able to confirm who was driving Terrance's car at the time of the crash.

Meanwhile, the physical search has ended. Family says a DTE worker in the area for a clean-up project spotted the body Friday in a canal near Outer Drive and Dolphin. But the search for answers continues, while his family prepares to say their final goodbyes.

Daija says she just wants to remember Terrance as the silly, irritating big brother that he was. 

"Always texting me, telling me to stay out of trouble. Stay away from boys, he'd always say. He'd always make sure I was doing my homework and come by and watch my daughter; he love his niece so much," Daija says. "I just want to remember him in good spirits."

"A lot of people have come out of the woodwork to help. We will not let this go," says Tarayl. 

A Gofundme has been set up to help with funeral arrangements. If you'd like to make a donation, you can do so online here. 

The Wayne County Medical Examiner confirmed they had Terrance's body. Michigan State Police say they won't have any new information until at least Monday.