The remains of a missing ex-police officer may have been recovered after his gun and car were involved in a shooting before his disappearance, police said.
The decomposing body was found Thursday in a Detroit park, two weeks after retired cop Stephon Hodo mysteriously went missing.
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Detroit Police Chief James White said they are awaiting confirmation, but they believe the remains found in Stoepel Park belong to Hodo.
Hodo has been missing since a neighbor used his car and guns in a June 30 shooting, White said.
Surveillance footage shows the unnamed neighbor opening fire at a Ferguson home and tearing through the lawn in Hodo’s black sedan.
Police took the 29-year-old neighbor into custody and recovered Hodo’s belongings, but the ex-cop was nowhere to be seen.
The Detroit Police Department executed a search warrant at Hodo’s home and signs indicated a struggle had taken place.
Police searched the neighbor’s house and determined that a struggle may have taken place there as well.
Officials said they were looking for Hodo for his own safety.
“We’ll let the coroner do their evaluation and see if we can identify the body we found,” he said. FOX 2.
“Unfortunately, many things indicate that it may in fact be our retired police officer.”
Police said their investigation led them to investigate Stoepal Park, but have not specified exactly what evidence led them to the scene.
“It’s a very sad situation,” White told FOX 2 after explaining that there are many unknowns.
“That case has a lot to do with it. In my opinion, the (presumed) perpetrator should not even have been allowed to be on the street.
The suspect was awaiting trial on charges of possession of methamphetamine and driving with a suspended license, court records show The Detroit News.
He was also arrested on charges of gun possession in 2018.
“A very tragic week for the Detroit Police Department, keep us in your prayers,” White said.
This incident is still under investigation.